RIVERS State Government yesterday alleged that security forces have invaded some communities in three local government councils, killing some perceived supporters of Governor Nyesom Wike.

However, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Eli Lazarus has dismissed the state government’s claims, saying it was mopping up arms in the areas concerned.

Spokesperson to the governor, Simeon Nwakaudu, claimed that joint military/police invasions had taken place in Gokana, Asari-Toru and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA).

Nwakaudu explained that one recurring decimal in these three deadly invasions is the fact that one Major (name withheld) a military officer, who was the Rivers State All Progressives Congress star witness during the hearing of election petitions in Abuja, featured in all the attacks.

The governor’s spokesman alleged that in Asari-Toru Council, soldiers and mobile policemen invaded the residence of the caretaker council chairman, Sobomabo Jackrich, destroying his homes and valuables before killing about five youths, in addition to 50 youths and women arrested and then taken to Port Harcourt.
Similarly, Nwakaudu alleged the military also invaded Bua Yeghe in Gokana Council and attacked the home of Mr. Solomon Ndigbara. He said the military burnt his home, before abducting his wife and 70 other youths.

And in an undisclosed community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council, soldiers and mobile policemen also unleashed mayhem on lives and property, alleged Nwakaudu.
The Guardian however, gathered from sources in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area that the military offensive is targeted at criminal hideouts in some communities close to Omoku.

Replying to our correspondent’s enquiry, Capt Lazarus said, “We are quite aware that operations of this nature will elicit such reactions from a section of the public. However, we are determined to sustain the ongoing operation to mop up arms in the areas mentioned and ensure that criminal activities do not thrive.”

To reinforce its allegation, Nwakaudu continued, “Every well meaning Nigerian is invited to take note of this unprecedented violence being visited on innocent Rivers people by the military and the police under the ungodly guidance of the Rivers State APC. The National Human Rights Commission is also invited to play her role at this critical time. The affected local government councils have taken newsmen on tour of the invaded communities. The civil society is in the know of the illegal invasions of the unarmed communities,” he said.

The government said this level of political desperation is unknown to the nation’s democratic history. Even as no authority had in the past handed security platforms to political thugs and associates to unleash untold mayhem and deaths on law-abiding citizens.
“But one thing is clear, this resort to intimidation and destruction will not improve the lackluster fortune of Rivers APC. If anything, it has further depleted the party’s miserable five percent,” he added.