Forum Condemns Attack On Youths Protesting 16 Years Of Blackout

Anioma Youths Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) has condemned the reported attack on youths protesting 16 years of darkness in a Delta community during the “Light Up Ndokwa Nation” event.

The group, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ekwukwo Elvis, lamented the use of excessive force by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to disperse peaceful protesters in Kwale, Delta State.

According to the statement, the protesters, made up of concerned citizens of Ndokwa/Ukwuani — which comprises Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani Local Government Areas of Delta State — were simply demanding access to electricity after being plunged into darkness for nearly two decades.

Elvis said the peaceful protest was a legitimate and non-violent expression of deep frustration, long-standing neglect and marginalisation.

He said, “It was a fair and just demand: the step-down and connection of Ndokwa communities to the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP), which has been generating electricity since 2005 and contributes over 15 per cent to Nigeria’s power grid.

“It is both unjust and unacceptable that while nine states and the Federal Capital Territory benefit from power generated in Ndokwa land, the host communities themselves remain in total darkness.”

According to the group, the Ndokwa Nation is one of the major contributors to Nigeria’s national wealth, boasting vast crude oil reserves and recognised as the largest producer of natural gas in West Africa.

“Yet, the people continue to suffer systemic neglect, denied the basic amenity of electricity. This is a grave injustice and a betrayal of the principles of equity and development.

“AYF-W fully supports the demand of the Ndokwa Nation to be connected to the Okpai IPP. We align with their peaceful advocacy and stand in solidarity with their just call to ‘Light Up Ndokwa Nation’. Enough is enough — 16 years of waiting is far too long.”

The group therefore called on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Sen. Ned Nwoko; and the Member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, to take urgent and decisive steps to engage relevant authorities and bring this shameful power outage to an end.

It urged security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police Force, to uphold professionalism and adhere strictly to global best practices in handling peaceful protests.

“The indiscriminate use of force, intimidation, or shooting at unarmed citizens exercising their democratic rights is highly condemnable and must not be tolerated in a democratic society,” he said.