The Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, has condemned recent attacks on riverine Communities in Lagos and Ogun States, saying they were not perpetrated by Ijaw youths and urged security agencies to bring those behind the acts to book.

The IYC gave the condemnation in a statement issued by its Spokesman on Monday in Yenagoa.

“The IYC disassociates Ijaw people and groups from the incessant attacks and killing of innocent Nigerians in Lagos and Ogun States by criminal elements,” the statement read.

“The reported attacks and killings are purely criminal and the IYC in strong terms condemn such criminal conducts irrespective of who is involved.”

The group said it was wrong of the media to refer to the perpetrators of the attacks as “Ijaw Militants”.

“The sensational headlines and impression being created is that it is Ijaw people or groups that are carrying out organized attacks and killing of people in some Lagos and Ogun communities,

“The Ijaw people indigenous to and living in the south western part of Nigeria are peaceful and law abiding people and can never be involved in attacking communities and killing people.

“The Ijaw people also have not at any time met and agreed to attack communities and kill people in Lagos and Ogun states,” the statement read in part.

The youth group urged the media to report events accurately in order to avoid unnecessary inter-ethnic crisis and to promote national unity.