Threaten To Invade Kokori Over Kidnap Of Traditional Ruler

Ijaw Youths Mobilize, Threaten To Invade Kokori Over Kidnap Of Traditional Ruler

Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), the umbrella body of Ijaw youth worldwide, today embarked on a general mobilization for possible invasion of the Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State over the abduction of a traditional ruler.

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Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), the umbrella body of Ijaw youth worldwide, today embarked on a general mobilization for possible invasion of the Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State over the abduction of a traditional ruler.

Augustine Ebikeme, Pere Ekere, the Pere of Oporomor Kingdom in Bayelsa State was snatched by some armed men in Kokori community on Sunday, generating outrage among indigenes of Ijaw Communities in the Niger Delta region. Ijaw People in Egbesu Dance

King Pere Ekere, according to the Ijaws, is the spiritual leader of the worshippers of the Ijaw traditional deity known as "Egbesu."

The IYC, in a statement issued in Yenagoa by its spokesman, Comrade Eric Omare, condemned the kidnap of the revered monarch describing it as a joke which would not be tolerated.

According to the youth body, an emergency national congress will hold on Friday at Olabrakopre Community, Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri, for all Ijaw youths where decisions on practical steps would be taken to ensure his release.

"We regard the kidnap of Pere Ekere, who is not just a traditional ruler but a spiritual leader to the Ijaw people as an attack on the entire Ijaw nation,” the statement said.

"If Pere Ekere is not released with immediate effect by the kidnappers, Ijaw youths would be forced to storm Kokori Community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State to effect his release. The kidnap of Pere Ekere is a joke taken too far and the IYC would not tolerate it.