Niger Delta Militants Prevented From Convening By Bayelsa Anti-Riot Police

In the early hours of Saturday, July 25, anti-riot policemen blocked the access to the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, where meeting of the leadership of former Niger Delta militants was scheduled to take place.

The meeting was convened by the ex-militant, leader of MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta), High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), but eventually had to be postponed.

Vanguard reports that five police patrol vehicles and a truck were stationed in front of the building, with combat-ready operatives guarding the place. The Ijaw House also hosts the secretariats of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, and the Ministry Culture and Ijaw National Affairs. Residents who intended to make use of the building’s ATM to cash money were denied access.

On Friday, Bayelsa state governor Seriake Dickson said he will hold a meeting with the ex-militants to discuss the issues bothering them, and urged them to call the venue off.

Reacting to the police actions, the IYC Worldwide released a statement condemning the police invasion.

“The IYC condemns, in the strongest terms, the invasion of Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the administrative headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and housing the Bayelsa State Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs and Culture,” the statement reads.

“IYC wishes to remind the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari that we are in a constitutional democracy where things are done according to law.

“The 1999 Constitution, which is the foundation upon which our democracy is built, recognizes the right to freedom of assembly and movement. The Niger-Delta people, whether as ex-agitators or youth groups, have the right to assembly in a meeting and free movement.

“This is a threat to our nascent democracy. Democracy is not only about having rice and beans to eat but the enjoyment of basic and fundamental rights which are enshrined and guaranteed in the constitution. The fears of many Nigerians that General Buhari would take Nigeria back to the dark days of dictatorship where there is no regard for human rights are coming to reality.”