Ijaw youths in their numbers on Thursday, May 27, shut down the Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Eastern By-Pass in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The protesters under the umbrella of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), all dressed in the council’s uniform, hoisted the Green-Red-Blue IYC flag in front of the commission’s secretariat, preventing entry.
The youths also mounted two tents in front of the main entrance of the newly-commissioned complex, singing and dancing to solidarity songs.
Assistant Secretary of IYC, Eastern Zone, Ibiso Harry, said the action was directed by the IYC President, Peter Igbifa, following the expiration of the deadline given to the Federal Government to constitute a substantive board for the NDDC.
However, a team of policemen are on ground monitoring the protesting youths, who vow to remain until the NDDC board was inaugurated.
The IYC had given a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Ministry of the Niger Delta for the inauguration of the board, however, their president went missing on Tuesday which also was the last day of the ultimatum.
Igbifa was said to be on his way to the International Airport, Port Harcourt, to board a flight to Abuja when some gunmen blocked his vehicle, seized and took him away.
Before his disappearance, he had in a short video ordered the youth to proceed with the protest, noting that he could either be kidnapped, arrested, or killed.
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