The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) have reacted to the military invasion of Pa E. K. Clark’s country home in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State last weekend.
IYC, who described the military invasion as “a great insult to the Ijaw people and highly condemnable,” regretted that the action is not only embarrassing to the personality of Pa Clark but the highest level of disrespect to the elder statesman.
Spokesman of IYC Worldwide, Amb Binebai Princewill, said at a press conference yesterday: “The IYC has always tasked the military to work strictly with intelligence and not to go out of the rules of engagements.
“We are in a democratic era and not a purely military regime. The invasion and destruction of properties at Pa Clark’s House in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday is a great insult on the Ijaw people and is highly condemnable.
“We are yet to know the offence he has committed against the Nigerian government and military that will lead to this kind of attack on his house. This is not only embarrassing to the personality of Pa Clark but the highest level of disrespect to the elderly.
“Pa Clark has diligently served this country as a Senator and a first republican minister of information. He is aged 97 as of now and has been one of the strongest pillars of unity in Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. He is the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
“To even think that he will be harbouring criminal elements in his house is the greatest slap on his face and that of the Niger Delta people.
“Let us make this clear: Nobody is stopping the military from carrying out its duties to flush out criminal elements. What we are saying is that it should work with credible intelligence so that innocent people will not pay for a sin they did not commit.
“Now that nothing incriminating was found at Pa Clark’s residence, how will the military now pay for the damage caused on the personality of the nonagenerian?
“Finally, the Ijaw Youth Council will hold the Nigerian military responsible if anything happens to our father, Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
“Nigeria is not a banana republic where people do things the way they want, people must obey democratic principles and must operate within the ambit of the law.”
