Brave Dickson
Following the barbaric killing of one Nen-elkpege Lezor of K Dere community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State by alleged soldiers, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People has called on the police and other security agencies to immediately commence thorough investigation.
MOSOP in a statement made available to TPCN and signed by its Acting Publicity Secretary, Sunny Zorvah condemned the gruesome killing which occurred on Easter Friday by soldiers allegedly attached to Shell Petroleum Development Company workers.
Statement reads in part, “even though the MOSOP is in support of genuine efforts by legitimate authorities and government to fight criminality in Ogoniland, we do not support and will not tolerate unprovoked military onslaught and reckless killings in any Ogoni community or else where.
“We urge security actions to be taken with respect of the rights of innocent citizens and that the military or any arm of the security agencies should act within the ambit of the law, especially in accordance with the rules of engagement.
We call on relevant security agencies, particularly the police to urgently commence investigation into the reported military raid and killing in K. Dere community and ensure that all those behind such destructive and unwarranted operations are brought to book to avert total break down of law and order in the area.”
Speaking with our correspondent, a former councillor who hails from the community, Hon Lucky Kpai said, “yesterday being Easter Friday, we were all in our community when soldiers attached to SPDC officials stormed our community in company of SPDC Community Laiason Officer, Mr Sunday and started shooting sporadically.
“Unfortunately, Nen-Elkpege Lezor was hit by stray bullet and has now been confirmed dead. Another 30 year old Lenu Kpegezor was also hit by stray bullet and he is in a critical condition as I speak to you now.”
When asked what must have been the reason for the military action, the former councillor said to the best of his knowledge, members of his community have no issue with SPDC that could warrant such attack on them.
He noted that SPDC officials were effecting repairs on Trans Niger pipelines in their sister community, B Dere and wondered why soldiers attached to the oil firm would attack them in K Dere community.
Video clip available to TPCN also showed brother to the killed Nen-Elkpege Lezor crying in anguish over the killing of his brother.
“Abeg make ona come see how soldiers don kill my brother this Easter Friday o. Notin we do them o. They just come our community and begin to shoot us gun o. See my brother for ground wey they don shoot am to death, “the deceased brother lamented in Pidgin English.
Though the Army authority was yet to react to the allegation levelled against the soldiers as the phone line of the Spokesman, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State, Aminu Iliyasu was not reachable.
TPCN investigative crew has been deployed to unveil more details on the incident as it unfolds.
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