Chief Edwin Clark (CON), an Ijaw national leader condemned the attacks on Ijaw communities as clashes between the joint task force and militants in the Niger Delta. He called on President Yar’Adua to order an immediate ceasefire as many people have been killed and thousands of others have been trapped in the forests for days.
Chief Edwin Clark said “President, unable to reach you, hence this open message to you. I am appealing to you to stop your government’s decision to declare a full blown war against the Ijaws of the Niger- Delta by using jets and helicopters in bombing towns and villages killing innocent children, women and old people who are not part of the militants.
“Apart from those being killed by the bombing, many of the villagers who are alive are seeking refuge in the bush for the past three days. The bombing has started this morning, Sunday (yesterday) and six communities including Oporoza, Kurutie, Ubefan, Kunukunuama, are being razed to the ground by the military.
“Now that the militants’ camp has been taken by the JTF and we have already appealed to the militants to stop fighting, I sincerely appeal to Mr. President on behalf of the Ijaw people to cease fire and bring normalcy to the area. What is going on, Mr. President, is definitely not in the interest of the country. You have a duty to protect all Nigerians because we are part of this country. Please act immediately”.
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williams ph, nigeria May 20, 2009
Chief Edwin Clark, if realy you wanted to help your people, kindly produce the millitants. you are the leader of ijaws, this boys are your own blood brothers, you know them & you have been using them against government.
please kindly stop distobbing our president, with un-called excuses.your boys cannot be as strong as OJUKWU. JTF continue shooting.
Chakko Bombay, India May 19, 2009
This is for Chief Edwin Clark, Leader of the Ijaw Community to resign as he cannot control the mlitant under his roof rather sending unnessary SOS to the President.
I think this is a coward acts when you cant control people you said you lead.Nigeria nation is more than Ijaw or any ethnic people cos is a united states of diversed people and cultures as India and pride of African.
SCUDDER lagos, nigeria May 19, 2009
If the militants did not hearken to voice of reason of the ijaw elders then i think the militants should be held responsible for whatever calamity that has befallen them. The ijaw elders can help end the war by giving intelligence report of the whereabout of the leaders of the various militancy groups.
Inyang Oron, Nigeria May 18, 2009
how about appealing to the villagers to produce these militants as they are children of the indigenes?
there need not be this saga if the stake holders in the militancy industry beome reasonable.
