Okenyi Kenechi
Indigenes of Goi in Tai Local Government Area and those of K.Dere and B.Dere in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State are counting their losses following a raid on their communities by heavily armed soldiers from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt.
The raid came after a soldier and two civil defence personnel were gunned down by suspected oil thieves in Goi on Saturday night.
The slain security personnel were guarding the Trans-Niger Pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, in the area before they were ambushed and shot to death. The Assailants also catered away rifles belonging to the murdered personnel.
However, soldiers invaded the communities on Sunday, shooting sporadically and burning houses.
They arrested five persons inside Christ Church and killed two persons in B. Dere.
In K. Dere, they arrested community chiefs while youths were randomly tortured.
Community sources said the invasion of the soldiers were uncalled for as the killing of the security personnel did not in happen the LGA.
A source who is also a community leader in B. Dere while pleading anonymity said: “We were preparing for church when we started hearing gunshots and then people were shouting at the top of their voices.
“We found out that it was soldiers when they broke into our home and ransacked everywhere.
“It was later that we heard that a soldier was killed at Gio. They also arrested five churchgoers in our community. We did not do anything. We did not kill anyone. Why are they brutalizing us for a crime we did not commit?”
The council representative of the area said she would not like to comment on the matter as it is complex.
Recall that in March, soldiers escorting SPDC staff raided K. Dere where one Ley-Kpezor who was 33 years old was murdered. His brother said he was working on his farm when he was killed.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army in a statement by the Deputy Director of Army Information, Aminu Iliyasu, on Monday, did not disclose why they raided the communities in Gokana.
He said: ” An immediate reinforcement by troops at the location led to the cordon and search of the general area with the view to finding any criminal believed to be harbouring within the communities.
“Reliable intelligence led to the tracking of the prime suspect, a notorious cultist and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele Loveday who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for terrorizing communities in the state.
”Consequently, at about 9:00 am, troops cashing on available information sighted a white Toyota Hilux vehicle without a number plate, hastily driven with 4 occupants.
” Efforts to stop the vehicle by troops at a checkpoint was ignored. The gallant troops chased the speeding vehicle and caught up with the suspects around Kira Junction, along Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic.
“Sensing danger, the occupants opened fire at the troops in a bid to escape. Troops reacted and incapacitated the militants’ vehicle. As a result, the bandits abandoned their vehicle and fled to the bush. However, one of the criminals was gunned down and was identified as the wanted notorious cultists and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele – popularly known as MENE. Others with him believed to escape with gunshot wounds – leaving trails of blood.”
“The following items were recovered from the scene and in the vehicle: 1 x K2 Rifle, 2 x Magazines loaded with 52 Rounds of 5.56mm, some personal effects, one pair of vehicle plate number KRK 95DP RIVERS and some documents.
” The body and other recovered exhibits have been handed over to the NSCDC Rivers State Command for further action, while troops continue to track the remaining fleeing bandits to face justice”
Reacting to the raid by the army on the communities, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, in a statement on Tuesday said it believes not all villagers are members of any criminal gangs or involved in criminal activities.
“So, it will be unacceptable that innocent persons are not spared but made to pay the price for what they are not culpable.
“We sympathize with families of those who lost their lives innocently and appeal to all natives, particularly, the Paramount Rulers and leaders of the communities to ensure peace and order in their domain, by cooperating with the security agencies in the quest to purge the area of criminals and unwholesome activities, making it safe for living and genuine businesses to thrive in our communities.
“MOSOP also expresses her condolences to the military authorities and families of the gallant security personnel reportedly killed in the area and calls on relevant agencies to carry out thorough professional investigation to unravel all those involved in such dastardly act and prosecute them accordingly”
