Ijaw National Congress (INC) ON ATLAS COVE ATTACK

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PRESS RELEASE- ATLAS COVE ATTACK

July 16, 2009

The Lagos Chapters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) wish to disabuse the minds of the Lagos State Government and Lagosians in general to the impression being created that Freedom Fighters from the Niger Delta region have shifted the battle ground in their agitation with the Federal Government to the South West Zone of the country and Lagos State in particular.

Ijaws resident in Lagos have over the years enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts and in return, we have been good guests, contributing our quota to the social, political and economic development of the State.

It is in this context that the incident which happened last Sunday must not be construed as an affront on the good citizens of Lagos State or its Government. The South West zone has always been supportive of our agitation for equity, justice and fair-play for all Nigerians and therefore there is no deliberate or designed effort to attack its people, either now or in the future.

Ijaws in Lagos remain committed to the peaceful coexistence which currently exists with our hosts and will continue to dialogue with all parties concerned in the ‘Fight for Freedom’ to embrace peace so as to avoid a repeat of last Sunday’s incident.

We call on the Governor of Lagos State, Chief Raji Fashola and all well meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to withdraw the Joint Task Force (JTF) currently invading the Niger Delta region and to show a sense of sincerity in the ongoing peace process.

Denzil Amagbe Kentebe Chairman Ijaw National Congress , Lagos Chapter
Oyas O. Gbolupei Chairman Ijaw Youth Counci, Lagos Chapterl