Chief Regent Youmor, ex-President of Ijaw Community in Lagos State, says Nigerian youths must listen voice of reason and end violence of any sort.
Youmor gave the charge in Lagos against the backdrop of the recent communal clash that led to the killing of at least 17 military personnel in Okuama Town in Delta.
He also said that elders and community leaders must do their best to control and properly guide youths within their communities to promote unity and peaceful co-existence.
Youmor spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that it was high time Nigerian youths dropped all forms of insecurity, insurgency, other crimes and vices and joined hands to take their communities and Nigeria at large to the next level of development.
Youmor, also the Chairman of Bomadi Community in Lagos State, appealed to youths in Okuama and environs to avoid crises.
On March 14, at least 17 military personnel from 181 Amphibious Battalion were ambushed and killed in Okuama Town in Ughelli South Local Government Area while responding to a distress call, following a communal clash.
Youmor regretted incessant communal clashes between Okuama community and its neighbour, Okoloba.
“The youths must be called to order,” he said.
According to Youmor, youths must maintain peace and conduct themselves responsibly.
“Enough is enough. Our youths must listen to the wise counsel.
“These attacks must stop. We are not animals, we are not killers,” the community leader said.
Youmor appealed to elders and community leaders to commit to guiding the youth well to reduce communal clashes and other forms of violence.
“We can’t disown them. They are our children, but we must tell them the truth and regulate their conducts.
“We don’t tolerate criminal activities. We don’t condone criminality,” he said.
He praised the Federal Government for various intervention programmes to address youth restiveness in Niger Delta.
According to him, the government has set up agencies to enable youths in the region to acquire skills and make decent living.
Youmor appealed to the military to observe due diligence while searching for the killers of its personnel in Okuama.
Youmor said: “Let only those who committed the crime be brought to book. Let the innocent be spared.” (NAN)
