IJAW Youth Council (IYC), yesterday, slammed the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) and Northern Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative for urging the Federal Government to cancel the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), owned by former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).

While issuing a statement after an emergency meeting yesterday, IYC described the call by the northern group as  “provocative” and against the development of oil bearing Niger Delta region.

Spokesman of IYC, Binebai Yerin Princewill, urged the northern groups to steer clear of issues affecting the region, which produces the oil and gas that nurtures the North. The group wondered why groups from outside the region should be staging protests against a pipeline surveillance contract in Niger Delta.

Urging the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to call their children to order, Princewill tasked President Bola Tinubu, who, they said, had demonstrated commitment to midwife the best for Nigeria, to disregard and ignore the Northern youths and their sponsors. Niger Delta youth group said the protest was to mislead the President into taking a wrong decision that may set Nigeria on fire.