THE Ijaw of Delta state alleged yesterday that 58 ( fifty eight) of their kinsmen had been killed by security personnel deployed to the troubled spots as at Monday night. The deceased according to them, included children and the aged. Already, the Ijaws asserted that four more towns were identified as Oburu-ghene, Pepo-Ama Teiteipou and Iginapou were razed by the invading military men last weekend. The attack on Ijaw property by security men brings to seven, the number of their towns allegedly torched following the earlier burning of Okerenkoko, Saito Rububor and Oburukinan.

The alleged killing and attack on Ijaw of the troubled Warri Escravos waterways may be a reprisal move against the Ijaw who had launched a ceaseless attack on their Itsekiri neighbours as well as security agents in the past 10 days.

About 11 towns belonging to the Itsekiris had been burnt by the Ijaw warriors. Unspecified number of persons, both Itsekiris and security agents were also killed by the Ijaw combatants.

However, the Ijaws in a statement issued under the aegies of Concerned Gbaramatu Kingdom Indigenes (CGKI) lamented that "the Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu kingdom of Warri South West local government area are under serious attack. The federal troops which the government claimed to have mandated to maintain peace and order and secure oil installation in the trouble zone, have derelict that order,and have continued to execute a hidden order, to commit genocide in Ijaw land.

"The recent massacre of Gbaramatu indegenes has led to the destruction of various communities and loss of lives. These communities include Oburu-ghene, Pepe-Ama, Teiterpou and Iginapon. A total of 58 lives including children and elders were lost and several thousands of people displaced.

These communities were completely destroyed by the Federal troops made up of the Army, Police and Naval personnel. Also, at Kunukunu Ama, a passport 19 speed boat with double 75 horse power outboard engine, which was presented to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom by Chevron/Texaco Nig. Ltd, was taken away by the federal troops. The destructive act of the federal troops on the above mentioned communities was done after the attack on Okerenkoko community. That is on their way back to Escravos, they decided to attack their communities and destroy them."

Besides, the Ijaws in their statement signed by Mr. Messio German, Captain Clery Igbojoh, Captain Dickson, Timiyan and Prophet Israel Oluba raised an alarm, alleging that the federal troops were planning fresh attack on them, adding that "more arms and ammunition are being transferred from Osubi Airport through both SPDC and Chevron/Texaco helicopters to Escravos tank farm and SADC jetty at Madangho".

Specifically, they expressed the fear that the federal troops were tinkering with the idea of attacking their kinsmen resident in Warri, explaining that "the most targeted areas, which are mainly dominated by the Ijaw include the NPA Ijaw quarters, Ijaw quarters behind the Custom Barracks, Ogbogene and Ogbe-Ijoh."

They traced the on-going war in the riverine areas of the state to the fraudulent ward delineation exercise" carried out by INEC in Warri South West Council, lamenting that INEC awarded the minority (Itsekiris) six electoral wards and 147 voters registration units while the majority (Ijaws) were awarded four (4) four electoral wards and 64 voters registration units."

Consequently they called on the international community, especially NGOs, the Ijaws National Congress (INC) and other well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the federal government to stop further attack on the Ijaw communities.