Youth leader cautions against renewed violence in Ibaa community

Mr Wenendah Elechi, President, Ibaa Youth Peace Council (IYPC), Ibaa, Emohaa Local Government Area, Rivers, has cautioned against the resurgence of insecurity in the community, in order not to hamper development.

Elechi gave the warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibaa on Sunday.

He was reacting to the reported disappearance of Chukwuma Ogo, 23, a final year Agric Engineering student of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, in the community on May 7.

Ogo was reported to have been on his way from Ibaa to Port Harcourt, after visiting home, when some unidentified persons attacked and took him away.

NAN reports that until the past few months when the people had peace, Ibaa had been known for violence for eight years, due to chieftaincy tussle that polarised the community.

Most youths, said to have perpetrated the protracted violence, however, embraced the recent amnesty which the state government offered suspected cultists and restive youths in the state.

The president said that the community had again been thrown into fear and uneasy calm.

“As we speak, it will be difficult for contractors handling projects in the community to work; everybody is afraid.

“We have gone back to the dark days; this renewed attack is heartless, satanic and senseless,” he said.

The youth leader also expressed worry that the community development committee had yet to commence move toward tracking down those behind the act.

“The young man has not been seen since then; should we continue to leave this way?

“We want to see the community work with security agencies toward unmasking those behind the dastardly act. Failing to do so will mean legalising evil.”