Following the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuoma Community, Delta State, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the weekend, warned the military and the Federal Government against continuous harassment and intimidation by the Nigerian Army against a Niger Delta elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark.
The group said: “The INC may want to warn strongly; let it not happen again.
“We insist that a public apology be tendered to our revered leader, and the military, as well as the Federal Government should take responsibility for fixing all damages caused.”
The warning was contained in a statement by INC National President, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, and made available to journalists in Asaba.
In the statement, INC wondered why Clark should be consistently attacked, without just cause; whereas, ‘ransom negotiators’ for bandits from a section of the country are treated as sacred cows.
The statement reads: “The raid by the Nigerian Military on the country home of Pa EK Clark, in Kiagbodo, came to INC as a rude shock.
“The raid, which Clark himself called an ‘invasion,’ occurred on March 23, 2024, under the guise that a fleeing suspected criminal may be hiding in the compound.
“The search, which was conducted in the most arduous and harrowing manner, came with harassment and physical torture of relatives, aides and other occupants of the compound.
“The property was attacked from the air, land and water. So shocking, not even Enscobar, Anini or the dreaded Oyenusi of old were treated in such a gruesome manner.
“Nigerians may also recall that on September 4, 2018, a similar raid was conducted on Clark’s home in Abuja. Like the current one, nothing incriminating was found.
“The INC is at a loss on why a 97-year-old man, who had lived a life of service to his community and country, would be treated with such ignominy, disrespect and contempt.”
The group noted that Clark has never been a violent person, saying that he is not known to own a catapult or a jackknife all his life. INC added that Pa Clark was rather a lawyer, a crusader for justice, equity and fairness across Nigeria.
