THE BARBARIC AND INHUMAN ATTACK ON COMRADE BEDFORD BEREFA BY JONATHAN LOKPOBIRI AND HIS THUGS
The leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide under Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric, inhuman, and cowardly attack on Comrade Bedford Berefa, the duly recognized Spokesman of the IYC Worldwide, on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025.
Reports confirmed that Comrade Bedford Berefa, while carrying out his normal activities, was violently accosted by Jonathan Lokpobiri and a group of armed thugs at the premises of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa.
Following a brief verbal exchange, Lokpobiri reportedly ordered his armed thugs and cultists including members of his factional group to brutally assault Comrade Berefa, who was unarmed and alone at the time.
Not satisfied with the assault, Lokpobiri and his men abducted Comrade Berefa, took him to an undisclosed location, and under duress and at gunpoint, forced him to record a video falsely recognizing Jonathan Lokpobiri as IYC President a video which was later circulated by his team.
It is worth recalling that this is not the first time Jonathan Lokpobiri has resorted to violence and intimidation. On a previous occasion, he orchestrated an attack on Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus and his team, during which several vehicles belonging to the IYC President were vandalized.
This latest act of lawlessness represents the height of impunity and recklessness. The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide views this as an assault not only on Comrade Berefa but on the peace and unity of the entire Ijaw nation.
We therefore call on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant security agencies to immediately investigate and bring Jonathan Lokpobiri and his collaborators to justice. No individual is above the law, and such criminal behavior must not go unpunished.
The IYC remains committed to peace, justice, and the protection of Ijaw interests, but we will not be intimidated by acts of thuggery and violence.
Signed:
Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus
President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
