PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (The Informant247) – The Nigerian Army stormed a community in the oil-rich River State following the killing of soldiers by pirates.
Local sources said the pirates killed a yet-to-be-ascertained number of soldiers and also seized their weapons in an attack on Sunday.
The Nigerian troops in retaliation, according to the sources, broke into houses in the community, arrested the traditional ruler, LN.C Herbert, his personal aide, Damiete Alabo, and some youths.
Spokesman of the 6th Division of the Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Major Iweha Ikedichi, said the troops on “cordon and search operation” in the area would not be withdrawn until the perpetrators are arrested and the seized arms recovered. Iweha, who did not give the number of the soldiers killed, however, said the monarch was later released.
Leader of the affected community, Bennett Okpoki, who lamented the development on Tuesday, called for urgent intervention of the central government.
He said, “Bille town in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State is under seizure by the Nigerian military. As early as 7 am this September 6, 2022, there were serious gunshots by the military.
“The palace of the Amayanabo of Bille was also invaded and the king, HRM LN.C Herbert, and his personal Aide, Mr. Damiete Alabo, were taken away by the military.
“The military later released the king but left with the personal aide in the company of several others that were arrested. Until this moment, their whereabouts are unknown.”