A group that referred to itself simply as �Freedom Fighters from all Ijaw Territories � has claimed that it carried out the weekend attack on the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa.
In a statement distributed online to media representatives and organizations, the group stated that the attack has drawn the attention of local and international community to what it described as �the ballot injustice inflicted on the Ijaws and the entire Niger-Delta� during the April 14, 2007 governorship and state legislative assembly election in the region.
According to the group, Niger-Delta would not know peace until what it called a �free-and-fair election 2007� was allowed in �all Ijaw territories� across the region.
It alleged that President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Peoples Democratic Party have decided to foist whoever they wished on the Ijaw people irrespective of the feelings of the people through blatant election rigging.
The group demanded the release of Ijaw sons in detention or jailed, including Asari-Dokubo and Diepriye Alamieyeseigha.
The statement read in part:
�This operation is (sic) carried out to warn the Nigerian government of the ballot injustice inflicted on the Ijaws and the entire Niger Delta by Obasanjo and his cronies, and also, to inform the International community, and the Ijaw nation.
�By this act of attacking our one and only Ijaw state, we caution the Nigeria State and Governors within the seven Ijaw states and territories that we will tirelessly defend and protect our rights, our votes, and our resources.
�We will never accept any person imposed on Ijaws in the Niger Delta. There will be no Peace in the Niger Delta until our demands are met.�
Apr222007