The aftermath of the invasion by the military was the destruction and killing of some innocent and peace-loving citizens of Igbomotoru community which is rather unfortunate and saddening.
Rep. Rodney Ebikebina (PDP, Bayelsa) has cried out over the invasion of the Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa state by military men in search of the perpetrators of the soldier killing incident at Okuama, Delta state.
According to him, the aftermath of the military invasion was the destruction and killing of some innocent and peace-loving citizens of the Igbomotoru community describing it as rather unfortunate and saddening.
Rep Ebikebina made this known during a press briefing at the House of Representatives press centre where he also condemned the killing of soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta which occurred on 14th of March 2024.
“I am sadly compelled to speak following the callous and senseless murder of these officers who were said to be in their line of duty at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State which event spilled into Igbomotoru, a hitherto peaceful community in my federal constituency, Southern Ijaw, which is more than one hundred and fifty nautical kilometres from Okuama and in less than twenty-four hours spilled into Igbomotorumy Federal Constituency,” he stated.
“This led to the invasion of the once serene community by men said to be of the military in search of the perpetrators of the heinous crime at Okuama. The aftermath of the invasion was the destruction and killing of some innocent and peace-loving citizens of Igbomotoru community which is rather unfortunate and saddening.
“Let me express my heartfelt condolences to the Bayelsa State government and the widows, widowers and the good people of Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, specifically the Igbomotoru community for the untimely demise of innocent citizens arising from the unfortunate military operations.”
Rep Ebikebena who expressed confidence that the Nigerian Army can gather intelligence within a short period, advised that the execution of such intelligence should be done with utmost caution to minimize collateral damage to innocent and law-abiding citizens recalling the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, November 1999, following the killing of some soldiers and policemen was still fresh in memories.
He stressed that caution and professionalism must be the watchword to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book and urged the people of Igbomotoru and the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, to be vigilant and report any strange movements in their various communities to the nearest law enforcement agents and called on parents to take drastic action when their children get out of control.