Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and Akassa kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State were reportedly raided at the weekend by soldiers in search of the masterminds of the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The deployment of the soldiers in the early hours of Sunday was said to have triggered pandemonium in the predominantly riverine fishing and farming settlements.
The security operatives were said to be working on intelligence report that some of the prime suspects in the Okuama killing were hiding in the community.
A close community source in Akassa kingdom, told Arogidigba Global Journal, that the soldier invaded the community in search of the herbalist who allegedly performed rituals for the wanted militant leader.
A statement by the paramount ruler of Peremabiri community, His Royal Highness, Chief Wisdom Ogirigi, Chief Council Chairman, Talent Robinson, and the Youth President, Ebinibo Benjamin, expressed dismay over the military operation.
The statement reads: “The invasion of the heavily armed soldiers on the premise that militants were hiding in the community created pandemonium and untold fears and panic among the people.
“Peremabiri community has enjoyed relative peace in recent years and knows the importance of avoiding all forms of crisis that may lead to the killing of security officers, and cannot harbour any wanted perpetrators of such an evil act in our community, knowing very well the gravity of its implication and the pressure of the military might.”
The people of Peremabiri in the statement sympathised with the military over the unfortunate Okuama incident and called for cooperation from all quarters in unraveling and addressing the remote and immediate causes.
The community’s leadership calls on all sons and daughters of the community to remain calm and go about their normal duties, and also commend the military for cooperation and show of professionalism in handling the incident.
The leadership of the community advised the military to thoroughly investigate and unravel those behind the killing of the 17 soldiers for them to face the wrath of the law, even as the community will not tolerate any strange elements or harbour such criminals in its domain.