Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has condemned the ongoing cult war in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which has claimed the lives of several promising young people.
President of the council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, who stated this in Yenagoa on Saturday, emphasised that no one has the right to take another person’s life.
He urged youths in the state to desist from cultism and related activities which he described as a clear path to self-destruction.
Lokpobiri noted that the IYC needs Ijaw youths ‘alive and well,’ to join intellectual forces together to tackle their oppressors and compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world.
He said Ijaw youths were once known for their dignity, hard work and law-abiding nature, which enabled leaders like the late Pa Edwin Clark, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and others, to achieve greatness at a young age.
He maintained that cult activities would have hindered their progress, if they had been involved in cultism.
He particularly appealed to those involved in the unnecessary cult war to sheath their swords, break free from the destructive circle of cultism and redirect their energies to meaningful and productive ventures where they will embrace a brighter future of limitless opportunities.
The IYC president pointed out that by leaving behind these dark days of violence, fear and restricted movements, they would discover a life of purpose, dignity and promise.
Lokpobiri, who is also the chairman, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, advised youths of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, to steer away from psychoactive and psychotropic drugs, which he said have rendered many youths useless to themselves and society.
He urged parents to provide guidance to their children and closely monitor them to prevent them from engaging in cult activities, drug addiction and other forms of anti-social behaviours, stressing that the home is where children receive their first orientation that shapes their future.
The IYC president also called on security agents to investigate and take decisive actions to arrest the situation, which he said, has instilled fear in residents.
