Niger Delta Republic: Ijaws flee Lagos, Ogun as OPC vows to do THIS
– Ijaws have started to leave Lagos and Ogun over feared attak
– The ROPC issued a threat following one issued by a militant group asking Yorubas to vacate Niger Delta
– The Ijaw Youth Council has called for calm
Ijaw residing in some parts of Lagos have started fleeing to their hometown following a threat by the Reformed Odua Peoples Congress (ROPC).
ROPC had issued the threat following a similar directive by a militant group, Adaka Boro Avengers to Yorubas and Hausas living in the Niger Delta community to vacate the region as a republic would be declared on Monday, August 1.
READ ALSO: Ijaw leaders warn against declaring Niger Delta Republic
The group had also called on Niger Delta people residing in different parts of the country to return to the region for the official declaration of an independent Niger Delta republic.
Vanguard reports that during the weekend, Ijaw people were seen packing their bags and leaving some areas in Lagos and Ogun state which has been the two states that has witnessed attack from militants in the south west.
Eric Omare who is the spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) confirmed the development.
He said: “At as Sunday morning (yesterday), information at our disposal indicates that some Ijaw people resident in Lagos and Ogun states, for fear of attack, are already relocating from their places of residence to the South-South.”
He said there was apprehension among Ijaw people ahead of the expiration of the ultimatum issued by ROPC and urged the group and Yoruba leaders to allow security operatives do their duty in fishing out the gunmen responsible for attacks in the region.
He also called on residents in Kainana town to go about their duties and ignore the called by the militants to declare a republic.
“We call on residents of Kaiama town to be calm and go about their normal activities. There is no plan by the Ijaw people to declare a republic and the threat by Adaka Boro Avengers should be disregarded.
READ ALSO: Army storm Bayelsa to stop declaration of Niger Delta Republic
“We wish to warn groups and individuals not to further expose Ijaw and Niger Delta communities to unnecessary tension and danger. They should not abuse modern means of information technology to the detriment of our communities by issuing unnecessary threats and ultimatums.
“We call on security agencies to stop forthwith the unnecessary threats and attacks on Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities because of threats by faceless groups. They should check issues of security with the leadership of Ijaw nation instead of threatening or attacking innocent communities and people.”
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