Troops of the Nigerian Army have attacked the Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa State, burning houses and killing approximately 11 people.
This action was taken in retaliation for the recent killing of 16 soldiers and officers in Okuama Community, Delta State.
According to the Daily Post, soldiers arrived in five gunboats and destroyed houses believed to be the hiding places of a militant leader responsible for the attack on military personnel in Delta.
Over the weekend, the soldiers burned down several houses in Okuama and then moved on to neighbouring communities in Bayelsa to track down those responsible for the attack.
An eyewitness reported that when the troops arrived in the Bayelsa community, they shot at residents near the jetty and set fire to three buildings suspected to be the hideout of the 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.
