Victor Graham, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), has condemned in strong terms the bloody conflict in Bilabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The IYC in a statement on Friday by its President, Deacon Peter Timothy Igbifa, said the communal conflict which has already claimed four lives was caused by a proposed security contract.
Igbifa appealed to the warring parties to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance, saying it was irresponsible for brothers to pick arms against themselves.
According to him, rather than the violence and bloodshed, the gladiators who are all brothers should sit down to discuss the issues and resolve their differences, as dialogue he stressed remained the best tool in dispute resolution.
He called on the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri to set up a peace panel that would work with all the parties in the dispute to identify the cause of the conflict and resolve them amicably and permanently
The IYC helmsman also called on the police and other security agencies to immediately move into the warring community and restore law order.