25 March 2014, Warri – Itsekiri youths, under the aegis of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, have condemned the destruction of oil pipelines by a group in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, warning that same should not be preparatory to a possible attack and destruction of Itsekiriland and its people.
The youths wondered why issues relating to election of council officials should lead to the destruction of property of the Federal Government and oil companies in Dibi oil field, which is one of the oil fields in Itsekiriland.
Speaking to Vanguard in a telephone chat, National President of INYC, Mr. David Tonwe, said: “From our experience since 1997, when such reckless acts were perpetuated under the guise of political maginalisation by some groups among our ethnic neighbours, it is always a precursor to a premeditated attack on Itsekiri towns.
“We hope this is not one of such, more so when we are still reeling under the pains, destruction and killings inflicted on us in the Benin River axis of Warri North council last year.”
Tonwe warned that the Itsekiri were tired of endless burying of their own, who were slaughtered by this same group and called on governments both at the state and federal level to arrest and prosecute those involved in such acts of criminality.
He noted that it was “the inaction of government that had made such acts of mindless killings of Itsekiri persons and destruction of communities so attractive to the perpetrators.”
– Vanguard