Some leaders of the Ijaw community in
Lagos State say they are taking steps to halt the criminal activities
linked to militants from the Niger Delta region.
Some communities in Lagos and Ogun states are being attacked by gunmen suspected to be Ijaws staying in the creeks.
Speaking for the Ijaws in Lagos on
Thursday, a former president of the Izon Community, Lagos State, Regent
Youmor, in a statement, said the Ijaw leaders were set to douse the
tension.
He said, “We are worried about the spate
of criminal activities and the colouration given to it in the reports.
The Izon community in Lagos is not taking the reports and the feedback
we get lightly.
“We are ready to collaborate with our
Yoruba brothers and leaders, as well as security agencies, to ensure
that criminals masquerading as militants are fished out and dealt with
according to the laws of the land.
“We frown at it when a particular ethnic
group appears targeted for negative and biased reports. We are a
peaceful and peace-loving people, who abhor all forms of criminality,
whether in Lagos or anywhere else.”
Youmor, who is also vice-chairman of the
Police Community Relations Committee in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local
Government Area of Lagos State, said a friendly football match would be
played between the Ijaw and their Yoruba hosts on Saturday, August 6, in
the state.
“Football, like any other sport, is a
unifying force. We want to use the friendly game to foster better
relationship with the Yoruba, who have been very accommodating and
hospitable. Our leaders in Lagos are in support of this initiative,” he
added.
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