Embasara Foundation, a Bayelsa-based civil society group, has urged political leaders in the state to show commitment towards stamping out electoral vices and killings in Ijaw land.
The group’s spokesperson, Dr Ayekeme Whiskey who made the call while addressing a news conference in Yenagoa, said the spate of politically motivated killings had become worrisome.
He said the group condemned the attack on military personnel that resulted in killings in some Ijaw communities during the presidential elections.
The spokesperson said the political class owed the society a duty to ensure a crisis-free electioneering.
“As a non-partisan political pressure group, we strongly appeal to all parties involved in this dastardly killing and escalation of tension to immediately sheathe their swords.
“We are aware that the primary cause of the ugly episode recorded in the last elections was the reckless infiltration of some communities by political thugs,” he said.
Whiskey further said that the situation led to the killing of innocent persons, adding “ this is incomprehensible and totally condemnable”.
“As a group, we condemn the killing of agents of government who were merely discharging their legitimate duty,” he said.
According to him, it is regrettable that the residents of Abonema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers are now facing untoward apprehension and tension.