PRESS STATEMENT

On Thursday, 6^th of November, 2003, an armada of over 20 speed boats conveying armed militias of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) invaded the Itsekiri town of Ebokiti in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State at about 4 p.m and wrecked on the community a near total destruction.

At the end of their mission, the militias succeeded in burning down over 90 houses and also killed 15 persons out of which 4 of the aged males were beheaded.

INYC hereby condemned this unending genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Itsekiris. It is now clear that the Ijaws will stop at nothing to continue their much vaunted mission of genocide against the Itsekiri. We hereby appeal to the Federal Government to come to take all necessary steps to halt the Ijaws. This renewed onslaught by the Ijaws is in part a deliberate attempt by the Ijaws to undermine the outcome of the general Danjuma Committee.

We Itsekiris have been peaceful with the hope that the Ijaws will be called to order. From all indication, it appears that our hope has been misplaced. This is very sad

Mr. Matthew Itsekure

( Chairman-Publicity Sub-Committee)

Nov 2003