Three Injured in Alleged Clash Between Security Operatives and Ijaw Youths, Asari Dokubo Reacts
Following an alleged violent altercation between security personnel and Ijaw teenagers who were purportedly backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, tensions in Rivers State erupted on Saturday.
At least three individuals were hurt when security guards opened fire on the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) members with tear gas and firearms, purportedly on the orders of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, according to SaharaReporters.
The disturbance resulted from a disagreement over the use of a space for an event hosted by IYC; according to reports, IYC members were refused entry to their assigned site, while Wike’s supporters were allowed to continue with their meeting.
The IYC Secretary General voiced his indignation over the overwhelming military presence and suspected targeted intimidation in a widely shared video from the site.
“They’ve resumed using tear gas on us. According to SaharaReporters, he bemoaned, “Wike sent the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police to kill us in our own land.”
Read Also: Mysterious Disease Claims Lives of Five Students at Kebbi University
He claims that in addition to preventing the Ijaw teenagers from staging their event, security personnel also permitted the erection of banners and signposts featuring Wike’s image while removing those endorsing Governor Fubara.
“We came to put up the governor’s signposts, but the soldiers turned us away,” he said. Wike’s was used to modify it. Why? We will not agree with them if they do not.
He further charged that Wike’s supporters had disregarded an order from the King of Abalama Community, which had asked all sides to avoid holding gatherings that would inflame tensions.
“We have nothing against them,” the IYC representative stated. There are two locations for us. Despite being told to stay away by the King of the Abalama Community, George Kelly and his team continued with their initiative. We’ve been under fire from them. I’ve been hurt. There are three of our folks hurt. Because of Nyesom Wike, those women are on the verge of passing away.
He also made an appeal to President Bola Tinubu, asking why his people were being oppressed by security forces.
“This is my land,” he continued. I’m a dude from Kalabari. We can’t sacrifice ourselves for you. What’s going on? All of us are Kalabari. We are Ijaw. Wike prevents me from having my program in my community. Why, Tinubu?
Wike is condemned by Asari Dokubo, who refers to him as a “drunkenard.”
Asari Dokubo, a former militant leader from the Niger Delta, criticized Wike in a video response to the clashes, saying he was using security forces to threaten unarmed civilians.
Even that inebriated Wike is aware. You’re mouthing. You are attacking unarmed women with tear gas. You are shooting women who are not armed. “Just so you could entice me,” Dokubo remarked.
He called the use of the military and police against citizens an unparalleled act of repression and questioned its morality.
“Did the police have a duty to shoot unarmed women?” Dokubo asked. Where in the world’s civilized nations is that practiced? Ijaw people are being dared by you.
Dokubo also attacked Wike’s political legitimacy, saying the former governor had no actual background or history other than “stealing government money.”
“Who is Nyesom Wike?” he said. Apart from embezzling public funds, what else has he done? In what location has he worked? What is his lineage?
He warned that if tensions continued to grow, there may be significant consequences, claiming, “They know if we come, they will die and none of us will be scratched and we will walk away.”
