#ENDSARS Protest: Umuakpo appeals for calm among Isoko youths ~ Truth Reporters

 

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta on Community Development, Comrade Ovie Umuakpo has called on Isoko youths to remain calm and peaceful as they join their counterparts across the country to protest police brutality and extra-judicial killings. 

Umuakpo who is immediate Past President, Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA) made the call on Thursday in a statement made available to Truth Reporters. 

He said while the youths have a right to peaceful protest, they must guard against all criminal tendencies of destruction and looting of public and private property. 

He urged the youths to obey the 48-hour curfew imposed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the best interest of the state. 

The statement read: "While the youths of Isoko Nation join other youths across the country to protest against Police brutality and other unfavourable government policies and programmes, I will appeal we do that with utmost tact and decorum. 

"While doing that, we must watch out for criminal elements within and outside the borders of Isoko Nation who may want to hijack the protest and turn it into an avenue for looting and violent attacks against our people and livelihoods. 

"We must also be mindful of the precarious security situation at the moment occasioned by the mindless killing that took place recently around the disputed land area between Ozoro and Oleh. 

"So far, the protest has been largely peaceful within Isoko and I commend our youths for that. 

"I therefore call on our youths and people to observe/obey the curfew that has been declared by the Delta State Government to protect lives and livelihoods within the State and to forestall the break down of law and order. 

"Let me also add that, no matter the level of provocation, our youths should never be tempted to attack or burn down any facility/property, private or public within Isoko or elsewhere. 

"I have been engaging youth leaders across Isoko particularly those of Oleh and Ozoro not only to ensure that the protests are peaceful and violent free but also that they are well coordinated. 

"I have also engaged some of the leaders of the informal community structures to ensure that they talk to their friends and members not to take advantage of the protests to cause crisis and undermine the security of lives and livelihoods within the Isoko nation. 

"Finally, I will appeal to my fellow comrades and youths to embrace the window of dialogue opened by the Delta State Government through the Judicial Panel of Enquiry to seek justice for the victims of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings. 

"By the grace of God, we, together with youths from across the Nation shall certainly overcome!" Umuakpo stated.