Atiku, Ijaw Youths Condemn Killing of Briton by Kidnappers

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the murder of British missionary, Ian Squire, by kidnappers in Delta State.

In the same vein, Ijaw youths under the aegies of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide tuesday condemned in strongest terms the death of the Briton in the hands of kidnappers in Delta State.

In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, the Waziri Adamawa described as horrific and abominable the news of Squire’s death after three other aid workers who were kidnapped with him were released.

“It is so sad and shocking that a man who left his home country to come to a remote village in Nigeria to perform cataract surgeries and provide free medical aid for other eye conditions could have been so brutally rewarded for his kindness and selfless service,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President added that Nigerians had many lessons to learn from Squire, who was willing to serve a people who were neither from his part of his world nor from his race.

“That is the kind of selfless service for which Nigerians are crying out. “We need people who are willing to give their best to all peoples, irrespective of whether they belong to the same group or clan, he said.

The Waziri Adamawa also commiserated with the family of Squire and with the Government of the United Kingdom. He prayed that they would receive comfort from knowing that the work Squire did was a legacy that would definitely live on despite his untimely death.

Also, the Ijaw youths describe the incident as unfortunate and highly condemnable and does not reflect the character of Niger Deltans.

According to a statement signed by IYC President. Eric Omare, they maintained the death of the Briton is a case of criminality and should be treated as such.

“The people of Niger Delta are peaceful and hospitable as evidence by the centuries of missionaries from foreign countries having peaceful sojourn in the region” they said.

The Ijaw youths therefore tasked the security agents to bring the perpetrators to justice adding “The perpetrators must not be allowed to go unpunished.

“We again call on community and traditional leaders to support security agents to help in fishing out criminals from their communities”, they added.

The IYC said it would soon set up clan and community security structures to work with security agents so as to make Ijaw communities uncomfortable place for criminal elements.