The sociocultural body of the Ijaw ethnic nationality worldwide, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has warned that the Ijaw Nation would no longer condone what it termed as the "brazen breaches of the fundamental human rights and the attendant gross marginalization, crass deprivation, utter neglect and stark impoverishment of the indigenous ljaw people in Okomu Kingdom in Edo State" as well as the dispossession of the lands of the aborigines of the State among other injustices being meted out on them by the State and non State actors.

The INC gave the warning over the weekend in a press release titled 'Enough of the Injustices Being Meted-Out to the Okomu-ijaws in Edo State' and that was signed by its president, Professor Benjamin Okaba, on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

According to Professor Okaba, the treatment meted to the Okomu and other Ijaws in the State contravene Section 42 and 44 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees freedom from discrimination in section and the right to be paid adequate compensation before possession of land.

The INC while noting that Okomu Kingdom contributes to the revenues of the State owing to its huge natural resources, however said the people are not only deprived from benefitting from "royalties, projects, employment, etc.. and lacks all social basic infrastructure" but also "are discriminated against as Minorities in Edo State and are subjected to several indignities, including non-gazetting of the Ijaw Peres (Traditional Rulers), unfair balkanization of the five Ijaw Kingdoms in Edo State to whittle down their corporate existence, affixing Udo to Okomu to divert inherent benefits to Udo instead of Okomu which is Ijaw area, non-inclusion of Okomu in the scheme of things, refusal to award relevant contracts and supplies to qualified Okomu Indigenes."

Going forward the INC demanded that all attacks against the innocent people of Okomu Kingdom by the State and non-State actors be stopped henceforth while all parties pursue a peaceful resolution.

Continuing in its demands the INC said, "We also demand the following: a) Payment of adequate compensation on acquired Land and stoppage of forceful possession of Okomu Kingdom Land by  Edo State Government, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Okomu National Park and Rubber Plantation;

"b) Reparation to Okomu Kingdom of all unpaid royalties and due benefits.

"c) Immediate restoration of the 20% host Community shares and Inclusion of Okomu People in the Management and Directorate teams of the Corporations operating in the area.

"d) the immediate end of all manner of discriminatory policies and practices by the Establishment against the Ijaw Kingdoms in Edo State and gazetting of ijaw traditional stools.

"e) immediate resettlement of displaced Communities and Persons as well as the arrest and prosecution of the Agents allowing themselves to be used to attack the Okomu People.

"f) The provision of sustainable employment and Scholarship to deserving Okomu-Ijaws and award of relevant contracts, consultancies and supplies to Okomu-Ijaw host Communities in line with Nigerian Content Development legal framework  and guiding principles.

"g) Immediate entry into an enforceable Global Memorandum of Understanding embodying the provision of critical social amenities and enabling environment in the interest of all parties.

"h) Political inclusion and appointment of qualified Ijaws in Edo State into positions of authority and creation of a special governmental agency and Local Government Development Authority to develop the area given its unequalled contributions to State and National development.

"h) Stop the indiscriminate arrest of innocent Okomu sons and daughters under whatever guise and commence the release of the illegally detained."

Professor Okaba who said that the "Ijaws in Edo State should be allowed to breathe, enjoy their God-given lands and reap the benefits of being host Communities" also warned "indigenous internal collaborator(s) to desist from sabotaging the genuine efforts of the Okomu traditional institution and civil society groups to facilitate peaceful coexistence and prosperous development because of their selfish personal interest" as the "Ancestral forces are watching and shall soon summon you to give account of your actions."

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