Lagos — The Ijaw National Congress yesterday called on the Federal Government to halt the raid on Ijaw communities in Delta State in the interest of peace.

In a statement issued yesterday, the group called on government to pull out troops in Gbaramatu Kingdom and send relief materials to the affected places. It said the raid was in contrast with government's avowed position of finding a lasting solution to the Niger Delta question.

"We strongly condemn this unprovoked attack on the Ijaw people, especially against the backdrop of the recent amicable pronouncement by President Yar'Adua where he talked about amnesty arrangements.

"Whatever the case, we are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop this callous and unwarranted display of state power, pull out the military troops; and pour in relief materials to cater for the innocent victims of this misguided military action.

"This will demonstrate the sincerity of the earlier statements of Mr. President.

"We call on the National Assembly to react positively to this ugly development. They should also call on the Presidency and the Joint Task Force to stop the killing of the Ijaws, especially the women and children", the statement said.

The statement signed by Chairman, Ijaw National Congress, Lagos Chapter, Denzil Amagbe Kentebe, said "We are also calling on the international community to show their presence through their various humanitarian agencies to intervene in stopping the genocide on the Ijaw people of the oil producing area of Nigeria".