ITSEKIRI, DON’T ENVY YOUR BROTHER, IJAW NOT AVENGERS, AYIRI SHOULD NAME MILITARY SPONSORS OF AVENGERS.
A statement by Comrade Ozobo Austin, National president, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI.
Our attention has been drawn to a malicious, mischievous and libelous report on July 6th vanguard newspaper describing Ijaws and some military men serving in Niger delta region as sponsors of Niger Delta Avengers.
We are equally disturbed were some Itsekiri bigots, the likes of Aki Ajonibode and Ayiri Emami with disdain asking Ijaw leaders to call Avengers to order, as if Ijaw leaders know who Avengers are.
In same vein they said Ijaws are deliberately attacking oil facilities in their territory to incite them. This is a slap on our face as such is malicious, derogatory, sagacious and disappointing.
We want to unequivocal tell the Itsekiri bigots that they don’t represent itsekiri people, and people of questionable character of their types can not speak for the good people of Itsekiri nation. Ayiri controversial self-style leadership have led to the death of many innocent Itsekiri youths and at such he does not have the mandate of Itsekiri people to speak for them.
Ayiri, who can not go to Ogborodo community and walk freely due to atrocities committed can not speak for Itsekiri people. Ayiri who have lead several militants attack against the peaceful Ogborodo people can not speak for itsekiri kingdom. All these fellows do not represent Itsekiri nation but only speaking for their personal capacity.
If Ayiri and Oki know the Avengers and can confront them what are these fellows are waiting for. They should stop dragging the name of Itsekiri to unnecessary distraction.
Ijaws are not avengers and should not be dragged to disrepute. It was ignorant that makes some ethnic bigots to drag Itsekiri and Ijaw names to this Avenger stuff as both tribes has nothing to do with Avengers. Meanwhile, Avengers have reported that they are made up of members around Niger Delta region which they said some of its commanders are from Itsekiri and Akwa-Ibom. Why these myopic, ignorant and barbarians still pock nosing for juicy contracts and political appointments.
Ijaw are not prepared to go to war with their peaceful Itsekiri neighbours, and equally the average Itsekiri man, apart from Ayiri, Oki and Omolubi will not say they want to go to war with Ijaw people as there was no infraction or out standing rift between the two tribes.
The duo display their ignorance when they said Avengers are Ijaws and refused to carryout attack on their three local government areas , namely Bomadi, Burutu, and Patan. The two times attacked 48inches export line in Forcados terminal is located at Burutu local government area, Ayiri and his likes are misinforming members of the public and the military and that his antics should be disregarded.
The duo goofed when they alleged that Ijaw are only carrying out attacks in mixed local government in Bayelsa, to correct this misnomer, Bayelsa state is Ijaw state and there is no mix tribe there. Patani and Bomadi local government areas are yet to be oil producing communities. Inciting federal might to weep out Ijaw from existence is out of jealousy and envy. Despite both tribes had quarrel in the past, such is not enough reason to plot to eliminate Ijaws from existence.
If Ijaws were responsible of attacks in Delta who are responsible for attacks in Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers which they all bear Avengers as umbrella body for their operations.
Ayiri and his cohorts who alleged against the military and the peace loving Ijaw people be investigated, as these are some of the
allegations that have being causing tension in the military environment.
