The Ijaw Youth Council ( IYC ) has urged the Federal Government to call the
military officers carrying out the ''Operation Crocodile Smile'' to stop
harrasing innocent citizens in the creeks.
This is contained in a statement signed by the IYC
spokesman, Mr Eric Omare and made available to newsmen
Omare,nin the statement issued to newsmen, alleged
intimidation of villagers along the Warri and Forcados rivers in Delta.
He also alleged that for the past two days, villagers plying
the rivers had been subjected to undue harassment and in some cases deprived
access to their communities.
"From Monday till this morning, several people going to
communities like Ogulagha, Odimodi, Ijaw Oborotu, Forcados and other surrounding
communities are denied access to these communities.
''This development has now resulted in cases of communities
having shortage of food with possible humanitarian crisis.
''This is condemnable and totally unacceptable, the military
must have respect for human rights in their activities in the Niger Delta,''
Omare said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Turkur Buratai, on Aug. 27,
inaugurated the Operation Crocodile Smile in Sapele, Delta.
Buratai said the operation was not meant to harm anyone but to
further boost security in the volatile region.
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