*Soldier Invaded Community, Razes Down House, Over 10 Residents Kill*
It was reported that troops of the Nigerian Army have invaded Igbomotoru community located in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, razing houses and allegedly kill about 11 residents, as at now.
This saddened development was as a result of last week’s killing of 16 soldiers and officers at Okuama Community in Delta State.
According to report, soldiers in five gunboats stormed the community, razing houses observed to be the hideout of a militant leader allegedly masterminded the killing of the military men who were on a rescue mission in Delta.
It was gathered that an Army Commander, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers of 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta were killed in Okuama community.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, had ordered an immediate investigation and arrest of the culprits.
Some days after the order, thenewskingdom gathered that some residents of Okuama community fled to neighboring Ughelli fearing reprisal by soldiers.
The report revealed that soldiers had during the weekend burnt several houses in Okuama, before invaded neighboring communities in Bayelsa in pursuit of those participated in the killing.
Thenewskingdom also learned that immediately the troops stormed the Bayelsa community, they opened fire on some residents relaxing at the jetty before proceeding to set ablaze three buildings suspected to be the hideout of the said militant leader.
Report have it that the community had been able to recover 11 corpses from the attack, while still searching for others as at the time of filing this report.
“The military invasion has affected the people gravely. Lives have been lost, properties have been destroyed. Even after the attack, I am sure that life in the community will never be the same.
“This weekend was scheduled for the burial of one of my late uncles. We had paid for food, drinks, music, speedboat and canopies. And now because of this, the burial can no longer hold.
“In fact some of the people we paid money to are saying that if the date changes, we would have to pay extra money. Is that not a huge loss on its own? So we would have to start looking for more money, that is if there will ever be peace in the community.
“I am appealing to the Federal and State Government, as a matter of urgency, to intervene in this matter. We do not have a hand in whatever transpired in Delta State. The international community should come to our aid,” the source said.
The spokesman for Operation Delta Safe, OPDS headquarters, Major Adenegan Ojo, when contacted through telephone, hung up the call after hearing it was a journalist who called.
Up till now, he did not respond to any subsequent phone calls.
