Stop the ongoing military onslaught in riverine communities, Group tells Acting President

• Says residents dying of hunger

A human rights group, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-corruption Crusaders, FOHURAC, has called on Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to prevail on the military to stop the inhuman acts going on at some riverine communities of Delta and Bayelsa states, stressing that action by the military could result into genocide if not checked.

The body stated that the military has been implementing starvation policy of war against the beleaguered communities, adding that the entire terrain in the areas affected have been tensed.

A statement signed by FOHURAC National President, Alaowei Cleric, Esq, said the ongoing invasion of riverine communities by soldiers was highly provocative and could instigate another round of crisis in the region.

Alaowei lamented that residents of these communities are dying of starvation as their means of livelihood have being jeopardized by the rampaging soldiers.

“Food supplies to the affected communities are still very minimal as movements are highly restricted in the riverine areas. 

“We cannot condone these unprovoked and unchecked invasions of peoples’ rights by trigger-happy military men. We have not seen the military acted in this manner in some crisis-ton regions in the country. Why Niger Delta case is always the difference?” Alaowei queried.

He described maltreatment of the people by the military as inhuman, stressing that Ijaw people are not at war with the military.

While condemning attack on military men by some criminals, FOHURAC National President said treating the entire area as scapegoats for crime committed by unknown persons was unacceptable, adding that “there is no justification for this war of attrition.”

The trained lawyer threatened to take legal action against the military in order to enforce rights of residents of riverine communities should their actions remain unabated after the series of public outcry.

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