Youths Accuse Rivers Monarchs Of Harassment Over Oil Firm Jobs

Youths of Ikuru town in Andoni local government area of Rivers State have accused the community’s traditional institution of harassment, thereby, forcing them to leave the area.

The development, LEADERSHIP gathered, may not be unconnected with recent dissolution of the executives of the Ikuru Town Youth Council by the paramount ruler of the community, King Aaron Ikuru.

It was further gathered that there had been a disagreement between the traditional institution and the youths over the diversion of employment slots meant for the youths by an oil company operating in the community.

The youths had accused the chiefs of collecting nine out of 12 slots given to the Ikuru Town Youth Council by the oil company.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, a youth leader from the community, Ryder Hector Ikuru, said the youth will not resort to violence in finding solution to the ugly development.

Ikuru said, “The youths of Ikuru Town are being harassed by the Council of Chiefs and the paramount ruler. But we cannot choose violence.”

He lamented the injustices meted out to the youths of Ikuru town by the paramount ruler and his council of chiefs.