ThisDayOnline.com: Ethnic Militia: Niger-Delta Youths Denounce Warlord

By Abimbola Akosile

19 July 04

A coalition of Ijaw and Niger-Delta youth groups under the aegis of Congress of Niger Delta Youths (CNDY) have once again denounced Alhaji Asari Dokubo, saying he has for long constituted himself into a nuisance.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by Comrade Mfom Etukudoh, President, the group claimed its members (Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Ijaw National Congress (INC), and Congress of Niger Delta Youths (CNDY), were legitimate vehicles for the promotion of change with the objective to seek, through dialogue, the economic and political development of the people of the Niger Delta.

"We have observed with disdain and embarrassment the nuisance exhibited by Alhaji Asari Dokubo as a self-styled militia as he claims to fight for the welfare of the people of the Niger Delta. We believe it is our responsibility to inform the general public and correct the erroneous impression that Asari Dokubo, who was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police and still remain wanted, is fighting for the welfare of our people", Etukudoh said.

"People of the Niger Delta have suffered deprivation and degradation as a result of oil exploration and exploitation over several decades. We are not a militant group and will resist any attempt by Asari Dokubo and his cohorts to cloth us in the 'colour' of a militia. The Ijaw nation and the people of Niger Delta are very decent and organised people. We will therefore not allow miscreants to smear our great image built and nurtured by our founding fathers".

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