The fold of Ijaw Youths in the Nine States of the Niger Delta on Sunday showed signs of sharp division over the armed attack by some suspected sponsored hoodlums on protesters led by a female Niger Delta Activists, Lady Ann Kio Briggs at the Tombia Junction in Yenegoa Local Government area of Bayelsa State.
The attack,which occured on Tuesday, was allegedly carried out under the protection of the men of the State Special Anti-Robbery squad and suspected ex-militants loyal to the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
But two Ijaw Youth groups, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) and the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) in a seperate statement issued in Yenagoa and made available to leadership argued for and against the Land Gazing controversy and the controversial protest led by Lady Ankio Briggs.
According to the Peace advocacy group, known as Niger Delta Youth Colaition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) argued that the armed attack on Lady Ann Kio Briggs was not sponsored but a scuffle with some persons who felt her protest on that faithful day was naive, distractive, killjoy and orchestrated to over- heat the polity.
The NDYCPP, in a statement issued and signed by the Acting Coordinator,Comrade Jude TiedorCoordinator, andthe Acting Secetary, Chief Henry Nabena, stated that the foiled protest was totally unnecessary and unacceptable by the majority of the Ijaws.
According to the group, “While we consider the situation unfortunate, especially as it affects a woman who has been involved in the Niger Delta Struggle for many years, We are at the same time forced to ask this very pertinent question. Was the protest necessary? In our thinking Ann Kio Briggs and her group did not follow due process in staging the planned protest in Yenagoa.”
“We were reliably informed the police and other security agencies in the state knew nothing about the planned protest which could have been hijacked by hoodlums to cause trouble.When the news of the planned protest broke, some Niger Delta youths leaders called on Ann Kio Briggs to justify the reason for her action but she declined. Consequently, contact was also made to Bayelsa State Government House to hear Government’s side of the story.”
“Interestingly, having heard government’s view concerning the protest, it was clear that Ann Kio Briggs was acting from a misinformed perspective, most of the leaders said they made several appeals to prevail on her to call or text the governor, knowing fully well that by her status in the region she has unfettered access to the governor and all other governors in the region. Those appeals fell on deaf ears as Aunty Ann refused to heed to sound advice”
“It is obvious that you cannot deny the Fulani herdsmen access to any state, the constitution of the federal republic of Nigerian allows for freedom of movement which equally includes the herdsmen moving their cattle in the state and other states, but the state government and groups can coordinate, control and manage their movement while they go about doing their lawful businesses. The intention of the Countryman Governor is to engender National Unity and cohesion by promoting harmonious relationship in the state.”
“We see the Governor’s disposition as well intended and should be commended.Although the group condemned the attack on her, we strongly advise that she should ensure that due process is followed when next such a protest is contemplated.”
“The misfortune that befell Aunty Ann Kio was unfortunate. Ordinarily if she had done the right thing by consulting the governor and the police authorities as well as other stakeholders in Niger Delta to educate her on the subject matter, that ugly incident would have been averted. “
“Outside the fact that the protest was uncalled for, her actions and intension were tailored to smear the credibility of the governor and portray him as somebody working against the progress and security of the Ijaws and Niger Delta at large.”
But the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide condemned the attack on Ann-Kio Briggs and other Niger Delta activists by hired thugs at Tombia junction while protesting against the allocation of land by the Bayelsa State government to Fulani herdsmen.
According to the IYC,” It is totally unacceptable and undemocratic for Ann-Kio Briggs and other Ijaw activists to be attacked in Ijaw land for expressing their dissent over a government policy. This action does not reflect the collective position of the Ijaw nation, but an action taken by a few.”
“The IYC strongly feel that the protest led by Ann-Kio Briggs and other Ijaw activists should be an opportunity to open a debate on the best approach to the management of fulani herdsmen in Ijaw land and the Niger Delta region instead of attacking them.”
“The right to assembly and peacefully demonstrate to express contrary views to government policy is an integral part of democratic governance as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Bayelsa State cannot be an exception. It is even more regrettable that the display of thuggery was done in the presence of security agents who ought to protect citizens’ right to assembly and expression.”
“Therefore, the IYC calls on the security agents to thorough investigate those behind the attack on Ann-Kio Briggs and other activists and bring them to justice. The role of security agents who were at the scene of the attack should also be investigated and necessary actions taken.”