IJAW youths under the auspicious of the Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, Thursday condemned the kidnap of four Britons by suspected militants in Enekorogha community of Burutu local government area of Delta State describing the act as criminal.
IYC in a statement by its factional president, Eric Omare in the statement appealed on the abductors to release the Britons with immediate effect adding that there is no justification for their actions.
He said: “It is criminal and highly condemnable for foreign missionaries who were offering free medical services and preaching the gospel of God in the riverine areas of western Ijaw to be kidnapped.
“This has nothing to do with the Ijaw or Niger Delta agitation hence it must be condemned by all well-meaning people.”
Assuring stakeholders and security agencies in the region of its collaboration in ensuring that the victims are released, Omare said:
“The IYC will collaborate with security agencies, Ijaw traditional and community leaders in and around Enekorogha and other Ijaw communities in Burutu local government area to fish out the perpetrators of this criminal act.
“To this end, the IYC clan and community structures in Esembiri, Oporomor and Mein clans have been instructed to take actions towards the release of the kidnapped missionaries.
“Criminal conducts such as kidnapping and killing of innocent people are neither part and parcel of the Ijaw culture nor the Ijaw struggle for freedom.
“We also call on Ijaw traditional and community leaders to be vigilant so as not to allow criminal element the freedom to operate. Criminal conducts are bringing disrepute to the communities involved and driving away development from the communities concerned.”