[dropcap]I[/dropcap]jaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, has accused the Nigerian Navy of allegedly killing an Ijaw youth, Danzu Michael when it invaded Benneth island in Warri south west local government area, Delta state in search of crude oil thieves.
The president of Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, Austin Ozobo, in a letter, on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, addressed to the chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibasand made available to journalists in Warri, Delta state further alleged that men from Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta, Warri, Delta state carried out the action, adding that they also shot sporadically at Salvation city community in the local government for several hours under the guise of searching for oil thieves.
The letter alleged that the shooting at Salvation city community, caused panic in the area as residents scampered for safety.
Meantime, when contacted the Commander, NNS Delta, Ibrahim Dewu who spoke through the Base information officer S. Bala dismissed the allegation of the Ijaw group as lies, adding that they were meant to discredit effort of the Navy to rid communities of illegal bunkering activities.
He said men of the Navy from NNS Delta had always conducted its operations in the most professional manner.
“Our operations at Benneth island had no casualty, we were also mindful of the environment. We had no record of death during our operation,” he said.
The Ijaw group further enjoined the Chief of Naval Staff to investigate the allegations against operations of men of the NNS, Delta, and ensure that those found liable should be brought to book.
The Ijaw group said that no illegal bunkering activities occur in the communities. “We wish to state that invasion of an entire community in the name of looking for alleged oil bunkers amounts to the violation of the fundamental right of members of the Salvation City Community”.
“Our Client is not against efforts to stop people who involve themselves in acts of criminality and are ready to work with security agencies in this respect. However, it is illegal for an entire community to be invaded in the name of looking for illegal oil bunkers”.
“If there are people who are alleged to have violated the laws of the land, the action should be directed at those people and not the entire or innocent members of the community”.
“Demand that your office, being a responsible organization should carry out a thorough investigation of the unlawful killing of Danzu Michael and frequent invasions of Salvation City Community by officers of NNS Delta and bring those officers to justice to act as a deterrent to others in the future. “, the group said its letter to the CNS”.
