Fear Of ROPC Attack: Ijaws Flee Lagos, Ogun

IGP Ibrahim Idris

There are indications that Ijaws resident in Lagos and Ogun states at the weekend started relocating from the two states to the South-South over fears of attack following the expiration of the ultimatum issued to Ijaws in the states by the Reformed Odua Peoples Congress, ROPC, Vanguard reports. The ultimatum was in response to attacks by unknown gunmen, suspected to be Niger Delta militants, in parts of Lagos and Ogun states.

The newspaper also reported that many indigenes of Kaiama in Kolokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, hometown of Ijaw hero, late Major Adaka Boro, have deserted the community over fears that the military may attack the community, due to the threat by a militant group, Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA, to declare a Republic of Niger Delta today.

Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Eric Omare confirmed the developments and said: “At as Sunday morning (yesterday), information at our disposal indicates that some Ijaw people resident in Lagos and Ogun states, for fear of attack, are already relocating from their places of residence to the South-South.”

He said there is fear among Ijaws in the South-West over the expiration of the ultimatum issued by ROPC.

The IYC, however urged ROPC members and the leadership of the Yoruba nation to allow security agents do their constitutional duty of arresting criminals responsible for the Ogun and Lagos attacks.

On the situation in Kaiama, Omare said: “We call on residents of Kaiama town to be calm and go about their normal activities. There is no plan by the Ijaw people to declare a republic and the threat by Adaka Boro Avengers should be disregarded.

“We wish to warn groups and individuals not to further expose Ijaw and Niger Delta communities to unnecessary tension and danger. They should not abuse modern means of information technology to the detriment of our communities by issuing unnecessary threats and ultimatums.

“We call on security agencies to stop forthwith the unnecessary threats and attacks on Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities because of threats by faceless groups. They should check issues of security with the leadership of Ijaw nation instead of threatening or attacking innocent communities and people.”