The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has condemned recent statements made by prominent Ijaw leaders, and some leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) threatening to wreck violence in Rivers State. The group described these statements as “reckless, thoughtless, and provocative,” and a “grave threat to national security and peaceful coexistence.” In a statement jointly signed by the Director General of the group, Johnson Georgewill and the secretary, Sarima Akpata, they emphasised that the group stands for peace, justice and a united Nigeria, and believes that no individual or organisation has the monopoly of violence.
The RRM, however, called on the Nigerian security agencies to arrest these individuals or any other person or group that threatens the Nigerian state, its economy, or people. The group questioned the motives of those making these threats, highlighting the plight of nine Rivers State House of Assembly members from the Ijaw extraction who have been denied their allowances for over a year, despite no court declaring their seats vacant. They reiterated that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy guided by laws, and the Supreme Court has spoken, stressing that Governor Fubara is bound to obey the ruling.
They advised the public to disregard the “empty, watery, and old-fashioned threats” made by these individuals. The statement reads: “As a group that stands for peace, justice and a united Nigeria, we believe no individual or organisation has the monopoly.
