Edwin Clark rules out mercenaries in soldiers’ killings

Elder statesman and leader of the Ijaw Nation, Edwin Clark says it is difficult to believe the recent killing of the slain soldiers in Delta State was carried out by mercenaries.

This is even as he insisted that the leaders of the various communities involved in the incident must be questioned, adding that nobody should be treated as a sacred cow.

Clark, who had earlier described the incident as shocking, barbaric and wicked, suggested that the military, along with the communities should work together to fish out the people who committed the murder.

He made this known on Tuesday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s News programme.

He said: “Well that is difficult to believe. I don’t think we should expect this thing. Let’s look at ourselves. As I said, I spoke to the Lt Col on Thursday and he went to the place on Thursday and died.

“Except they had information they were going to Okuama. Otherwise, nobody knew they were going there.

“People to come from outside to waylay them, to surround them is a matter they should investigate. We can’t rule anything out but at the same time let us look at ourselves.

“The leaders of the various communities must be brought together, and find out from them, nobody should be treated as a sacred cow.

“I may say this: I am an Ijaw man and I will be the last person to allow this type of matter to degenerate to a situation whereby we have intercommunal fracas or fight”.