Soldiers invade Rivers community to avenge colleague’s killing

Soldiers have invaded Bille community, in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, over the killing of their colleagues by suspected pirates.

It was gathered that landlords and residents deserted their homes following the invasion of the community.

It was learnt that the suspected pirates, after killing the military men in the community, carted away their weapons.

A resident, who spoke from his hideout in the community, said the soldiers, during the invasion, shot sporadically and allegedly broke into residents’ homes to intimidate them.

“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 resident disclosed.

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.”