Troops of the Nigerian Army have stormed the Igbomotoru community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, razing houses and killing about 11 people.
The action is in response to last week’s killing of 16 soldiers and officers at Okuama Community in Delta State.
Daily Post reports that soldiers in five gunboats reportedly invaded the community, razing houses suspected to be the hideout of a militant leader said to be involved in the killing of the military men who were on a rescue mission in Delta.
The soldiers had during the weekend burnt several houses in Okuama, before storming neighboring communities in Bayelsa in pursuit of those involved in the killing.
A source said 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.
“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 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.
