Soldiers have invaded Bille community, in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, over the killing of their colleagues by suspected pirinvaded
It was gathered that landlords and residents of the community, abandoned their homes after the invasion.
Meanwhile, the suspected pirates, after killing the military men in the community, carted away their weapons.
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A resident, who spoke from his hideout in the community, said the soldiers, during the invasion, shot sporadically and broke into residents’ homes to intimidate them.
He said the situation forced many residents to flee the community as the troops said they were searching for pirates who attacked their gunboat.
The resident said, “Some military men came with gun boats. They said they were looking for pirates that attacked their soldiers. We also lost one of our sons from the pirate attack last Friday. Just yesterday they invaded a nearby community. Today they invaded the Bille community.
“I am calling from my hideout. Many people have left the community. They are harassing youths, flogging and injuring people. As I speak to you, they are shooting sporadically in the community and people have fled. The place is empty.”
The President, Bille Youths Federation, Osaki Wellington, who said pirate attacks had been causing tension in the community, added that the military invasion aggravated the situation.
“The community was actually tense because we lost our son and now the military is coming in again,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Major Iweha Ikedichi, said the soldiers were in the community for an operation.
He said, “Troops conducted an operation in the general area of Bille and that is in response to the killing of soldiers in and around that community last week.
“The operation is consequent upon that, and targeted at arresting perpetrators and recovering the stolen weapons of the troops that were killed. The operation will continue following actionable intelligence as we receive.”
Meanwhile, a stray bullet from a soldier’s gun allegedly hit a lady along Harbour Road in the Port Harcourt area of the state.
