By: Felix Ikpotor
Reports say personnel of the Nigerian Army attached to the 6 Division, Port Harcourt on Sunday raided communities in Tai local government in Rivers State, following the killing of its personnel and two others of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), by cultists on Saturday night at Gio community in the area.
The slain security personnel were guarding an oil pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Trans-Niger Pipeline near Gio when they were ambushed by the gunmen.
It was gathered that the guns of the security personnel were also carted away by the gunmen said to be cultists and illegal oil bunkerers.
However, NSCDC, Rivers State Command’s Spokesman, Akin Oguntuase said in a statement that one of the gunmen who led the attack was gunned down.
The military command in Port Harcourt who confirmed the killing of its personnel did not comment on the raiding as locals said armed soldiers raided the community with houses and properties destroyed.
A villager who pleaded anonymity said that they are being made to pay for the crimes of the gunmen even when it was clear they had no hand in the killings.
He said that indigenes of the community are relocating to neighbouring communities adding that the crack down has also extended to K-Dere and B-Dere in Gokana LGA where it was reported that the soldiers also invaded Christ Army Church in K-Dere and arrested 5 worshippers.
