BOMBED—Major Gen. Alani Okunola, Commander of the Joint Task Force (Middle); pointing to part of a severed pipeline, while Brig. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin (2nd left); Lt. Col. Igwe P. Omoke, Commanding Officer, 3 Battalion Effurun (2nd right)and others watch during inspection of the gas pipeline in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State bombed by suspected militants. Inset: Other damaged areas. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire.
•Urges UN, CDHR, Utomi, Uranta, others to intervene
By Dapo Akinrefon
The Coalition of Ijaw Youth Leaders (COIL) has raised fresh concerns over the activities of the military in Gbaramatu kingdom of Delta State.
The coalition said the military, under the pretext of looking for Niger Delta Avengers, has been engaging in wanton human abuse and gross molestation of innocent and law abiding indigenes of Gbaramatu kingdom.
In a statement signed by Dr Clarkson Raphael, Comrades Fred Brisibe and Fred Afoegba, the coalition’s chairman, secretary and national coordinator respectively, COIL said military is expected to be professional in its dealings with helpless masses.
The statement reads: “COIL decry the wanton human abuse and gross molestation of innocent and law abiding indigenes of Gbaramatu kingdom by the military under the pretext of looking for Niger Delta Avengers.”
While condemning pipeline vandalism and criminal activities in the Niger Delta, the coalition said it is opposed to human degradation and ill-treatment.
It stressed that, “Coalition condemns strongly the acts of pipeline vandalisation and every other criminal activities in Delta. However, we object to a situation where the innocents, artisan and all law abiding indigenes are beaten up, manhandled, molested and subjected to crass and gross inhuman treatments.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.