The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has said it would restore peace in the Niger Delta if the Federal Government declares a 30-day moratorium in the region.

The group said this while addressing journalists at the INC Secretariat in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The President of the INC, Charles Harry, said the group did not support the approach adopted by militants for the resolution of the issues in the region.

The Ijaw body called on the federal government to be cautious in its efforts at resolving the issues while expressing sadness at the number of people killed in the region.

He said, “We have martyred enough of our youths. We don’t want one more single blood to be shed in the Niger Delta. Therefore, I appeal to the federal government to give the INC the opportunity to wade into this matter. We will come out with settlements that are implementable.

“Let the Federal Government give a 30-day moratorium on their action and we will certainly get a ceasefire from the creeks. No government should use attrition, especially violent attrition, as the first way of resolving a problem within its own borders. Do they want our own military, paid, dressed, clothed and armed by money coming from the same Niger Delta to come and kill us? Who would they be shooting and bombing?”

The INC president warned that the congress would not hesitate to press for war crimes against the government should there be another military invasion of the area.

“The anomie of Odi must not repeat itself because if it does, we will have no choice than to approach the International Criminal Court of Justice at The Hague for war crimes against hapless and helpless people. Please we appeal to the federal government. We are not making ourselves the point of negotiation but we are saying as the titular body of the Ijaw nation of which every single Ijaw son or daughter is a member, the INC has the moral and the consensus right, ability and duty to bring this anomie to an end. Let them have the rapprochement with us and we will do the needful.

“If the Federal Government is willing and sincere, we ask for 30 days. Peace can return to the Niger Delta in 24 hours if the right thing is done; if there is truth, faithfulness. Negotiations take time but armistice can be done in 24 hours.”

Azeez