Military invasion of Bayelsa communities may jeopardise peace initiative, CLO warns

• Search for soldiers’ killers within rule of engagement
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) yesterday warned that the military invasion of some Ijaw communities might jeopardise the peace accord between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta region.

CLO while condemning the action of the military over the occupation of some communities in Ekeremor council of Delta State called on the human right community to beam their search light on the Niger Delta region.

A statement issued by the Bayelsa State Chairman of CLO, Nengi James, stated that the invasion and irresponsible arrest of children, women and the elderly under the guise of searching for the killers of two military personnel is unjust, provocative and an attempt to pull down the existing peace achieved by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

“Assuming they eventually arrest those allegedly involved in the killing of the soldiers, who will rebuild the damaged communities? Who will assuage the anger the troops have provoked?’’ the statement asked.

CLO gathered that though, the troops, backed by four gunboats stormed the communities in Ekeremor and neigbouring Burutu council in Delta State, the invasion was a ‎backdrop of last week’s attack on a military formation at Ogbugbagbene, Delta State by suspected militants where a soldier was killed and arms carted away.
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And swiftly, the joint military task force codenamed ‘Operation Delta Safe’ dismissed the reports of troops invading Ekeremor council of Bayelsa State.

The Military yesterday assured that its ongoing operation to fish out killers of its soldier at the weekend is within its rule of engagement.

Spokesman of the military outfit, Maj. Abubakar Abudullahi, said that investigations was underway while ongoing efforts to bring those behind the dastardly act was ‘normal and routine.’

Commander of the joint force, Rear Admiral Suilemen Apochi, had warned that attacks on troops performing military duties would no longer be tolerated

Apochi spoke at Ajakpa in Ondo where some soldiers were murdered that any community that harbours criminals had lost its immunity.

The Bayelsa chapter of CLO and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) had in separate statements condemned the invasion of the communities by soldiers in search of the fleeing hoodlums.