A high-powered delegation of the Ijaw National Congress on Thursday, February 23, 2017 visited prominent Niger Delta Activist, Annkio Briggs, who was recently assaulted by thugs allegedly loyal to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.
The delegation, which was led by Comrade Ken Robinson condemned in totality the attack on Annkio Briggs in Bayelsa, while she was on a pro-ijaw rally to condemn the ceding of 1,200 hectares of Bayelsa land to Fulani herdsmen.
Members of the INC Eastern Zone delegation were Comrade Ken Robinson- Chairman, Caretaker Committee; Patience Ibiamu-Vice Chairman ; Chief Opaks Harry-Chairman, Kalabari Clan; Chief Ajubo Jamabo-Chairman, Ogoloma Clan Chief Faith Amaso-Chairman, Bolo Clan Rev Mac Inoma Diri-Secretary, Bille Clan; Chief Days Ikiroma-Owiye, Chairman, Tombia Clan; Lovinah Enyekit Kakpoilo, PRO, Abuloma Clan.
The Assault on Annkio Briggs
A peaceful protest embarked upon by a coalition of Ijaw interest groups in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 ended on a sad note as thugs, allegedly sponsored by the Seriake Dickson-led government attacked Annkio Briggs, a renowned Niger Delta rights activist and those protesting the decision of the Bayelsa State government to donate land to Fulani herdsmen.
The rally christened “Love for Bayelsa, Love for Ijaw land, Love for Niger Delta, Love for Nigeria” had barely began when the thugs heavily armed invaded the take off point of the rally at the Tombia junction.
Thugs reportedly beat up and inflicted bodily injuries on the protesters mainly women and youths, including one of the conveners, Annkio Briggs.
The presence of the policemen at the scene did not deter the thugs as they carried out the violence while the police looked on to the chagrin of the protesters.
While others sustained minor injuries, one Mrs. Christy Odiko, a member of the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), was so severe that she was hospitalised after the attack in an undisclosed hospital in the state capital.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the attack, Ms Briggs who lost her phone in the cause of the melee described the action of the Police as ‘unacceptable’.
