By Sampson Boroh
Tension is still high at Akamabubou-Tugogbene communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following alleged invasion of the community by armed men dressed in military uniforms.
About five persons were reportedly killed during the alleged invasion of the Ijaw community.
It was gathered that the armed men which community sources claimed were military officers had stormed the community at about 2am on Monday reportedly burning and destroying houses in the riverine communities.
The incident has, however, sparked outrage among stakeholders in the state, condemning the action of the armed men.
The incident which is still raising tension among residents of the communities has left many persons in the area homeless following alleged level of destruction.
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Leaders of the affected communities who confirmed the attack called for thorough investigation into the incident.
Some traditional leaders of the communities including Chief Godbless Ekiye and Chief Werilebebe Jacob told newsmen that the communities were in total disarray and search parties have been constituted to search for those who reportedly fled into the bush.
Also confirming the alleged invasion, Vice Chairman of the Akamabuo Community Development Association, Benjamin Soko, said incident took place at about 1:30am on the 4th of August.
According to him, “we were woken up by series of endless gun sounds, only to realize that it was men in military uniforms in company with about four gunboats that were razing down parts of the communities.”
He said residents are still unaware of the reasons behind the attack on the communities by the alleged military operatives.
They alleged that armed uniform men carted away include two power generating sets, horse power speed boats, and household items including laptops, phones and other accessories with cash amounting to millions of naira.
The Chairman of the Southern Ijaw local government area, Chief Nigeria Kia, who condemned the act expressed concern at the rising incidence of military invasion. Into communities in Bayelsa, ” if the military is searching for a suspect, it is either they invite the person or declare such person wanted.”
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Also reacting to the incident, the Spokesperson of IYC, Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, called for the display of professionalism on the part of the Nigeria Army personnel, describing the invasion as an affront on Ijaw people.
Ekerefe wondered why peaceful Ijaw communities would consistently face military invasion but the North-East where Boko Haram and insurgency is at its peak are not treated like terrorists.
“Boko Haram is ravaging the entire North East and we have not heard that the military would go against their rules of engagement and vandalise communities within the North East. We don’t want to believe that this is an attempt to depopulate the Ijaw people”, Ekerefe said.
Attempt to get the position of the 16th Brigade of the Nigerian Army failed as the spokesperson, Capt. Tonye, said he was in Taraba for a training course and does not have details of the incident at the time of filing this report.
