IYC Worldwide Condemns Brutal Attack and Abduction of Spokesman, Calls for Justice
By Paul Ebi
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has strongly condemned what it described as a “barbaric, inhuman, and cowardly attack” on its duly recognized Spokesman, Comrade Bedford Berefa, allegedly orchestrated by Jonathan Lokpobiri and his factional group.
In an official statement signed by the IYC factional President, Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, the council said the attack occurred on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, at the premises of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) headquarters in Yenagoa.
According to reports, Comrade Berefa was going about his lawful activities when he was violently accosted by Lokpobiri and a group of armed thugs. Following a heated verbal exchange, the group allegedly beat him mercilessly, leaving him injured and defenseless.
The IYC further alleged that Lokpobiri and his men abducted Berefa, took him to an undisclosed location, and under threat and duress, forced him to record a video falsely declaring Jonathan Lokpobiri as the IYC President. The video was reportedly circulated by members of Lokpobiri’s faction to mislead the public.
Watch the video here👇
The Council noted that this is not the first instance of violent conduct associated with Jonathan Lokpobiri. It recalled a previous attack allegedly carried out by the same group on Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus and his team, during which vehicles belonging to the IYC President were vandalized.
Describing the latest assault as “the height of impunity and recklessness,” the IYC said the act was not only an attack on Comrade Berefa but also a direct affront to the unity and peace of the Ijaw nation.
> “No individual is above the law. We call on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this incident and bring Jonathan Lokpobiri and his collaborators to justice,” the statement read.
Dr. Theophilus reaffirmed the IYC’s commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of Ijaw interests, stating that while the council remains peaceful, it “will not be intimidated by acts of thuggery and violence.”
The statement concluded with an appeal to key Niger Delta and Ijaw leaders — including Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri, Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, HRM King Ateke Tom, HRM King Asari Dokubo, GOC Tompolo, and Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri — to take note of the incident and ensure justice is served.
