Nigerian Army forces have launched a forceful operation in Igbomotoru community, situated within the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. During this operation, houses were destroyed, and an estimated 11 individuals were allegedly killed.
This military action follows the tragic incident that occurred last week, where 16 soldiers and officers lost their lives in Okuama Community, Delta State.
Reportedly, soldiers deployed in five gunboats invaded Igbomotoru, targeting houses suspected to harbor a militant leader allegedly involved in the killing of military personnel during a rescue mission in Delta.
The casualties in the Okuama community included an Army Commander, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
In response to the incident, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, swiftly ordered an investigation and the apprehension of the culprits.
In the aftermath of this directive, it was reported that some residents of Okuama community sought refuge in neighboring Ughelli due to fear of potential reprisals by the military. Subsequently, soldiers reportedly set fire to several houses in Okuama before extending their operation to neighboring communities in Bayelsa.
According to sources cited by Daily Trust, upon arrival in the Bayelsa community, troops opened fire on residents at the jetty before proceeding to set ablaze three buildings suspected to be the hideout of the aforementioned militant leader.
At the time of reporting, the community has recovered 11 bodies from the attack, while efforts are ongoing to locate any additional casualties.
“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, a 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 Governments to as a matter of urgency 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.
When contacted via a telephone call, the spokesman for Operation Delta Safe, OPDS headquarters, Major Adenegan Ojo, hung up the call after hearing it was a journalist who called.
He, however, did not answer subsequent phone calls.
