Residents of Bodo in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised the alarm over the invasion of the community by men dressed in various security uniforms.
They alleged that the security operatives, comprising police and military personnel, were breaking into homes and arresting innocent residents.
According to the natives, some people who received gunshot wounds were hospitalised, while those who were arrested were taken away by the operatives.
This came barely 24 hours after the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, said operatives were on an arms mission in Bodo, following information that firearms were being stored there.
Effiong said, “It is going to be a mop-up operation. This morning, we started with the Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area. From there, we will go to other areas.
That operation is ongoing. The task is simply to rid our society of arm-bearing miscreants who daily terminate the lives of innocents.
“This operation is going to be a continuous one until the desired result is achieved, which is to rid our communities of prohibited firearms.
“If we do not restrict the display of these weapons, it is very likely that the peaceful conduct of elections will be jeopardised because those who use these weapons will become thugs for politicians. We will not allow that to happen.
“We are going to open a window of clemency. We will not prosecute anyone who willingly, within this period, surrenders his arms. We have ten days starting today. After ten days, we shall get them, and they will all be prosecuted according to the laws of the land.”
One of the residents who spoke to newsmen said the youths were the target, pointing out that the community was under siege.
“As Bodo youth, we are suffering at the hands of the security apparatus. Many of our youth are injured.
“This morning, we were sleeping in our various homes, and we heard the army, the police, and other security agencies invade the community.
“They broke into the community, and some of our youth and wives were also arrested. We are peaceful and law-abiding people of Bodo. “We want the government and the heads of the various security formations in the state to come to our aid,” the source, who pleaded anonymity, said.
Similarly, a female resident who simply gave her name as Leesi said the people were yet to ascertain the reason for the invasion of the community.
According to Leesi, “Everywhere was peaceful and calm before this morning, when we started hearing gunshots, shootings, and arresting people. We don’t know what is going on in our community.”
On his part, an elder in the community, Peter Mongea, called for an urgent investigation of the invasion and the immediate release of the natives arrested by the security operatives.
The paramount ruler of the community, John Berebo, said the allegations against the Bodo people, which may have prompted the invasion, were a fluke to justify what the operatives were doing.
“All the allegations are just an attempt to set people up. I am a paramount ruler and not a politician, and I must do what is right for my people at all times,” Berebo said.
