By: Felix Ikpotor
There is palpable fear among indigenes of Bakana community in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State following the discovery of two decomposing corpses buried in shallow graves close to a river in the area.
Community sources disclosed that the incident has caused people of the area to flee their homes even as business activities in the area have also been grounded.
The discovery of the bodies are being traced to an attack on the community by some unidentified gunmen who invaded the area on Tuesday, killing three persons while carting away six-speed boats.
Of recent the waterways in the state have come under heavy pirates attacks with security agents appearing helpless in the matter.
Just last month gunmen raided Bille travellers along Bille waters robbing and maiming people on the process.
Chairman of the Degema Local Government Area, Dr. Tony Philmoore had urged the fleeing residents to return, assuring them of security, but despite the assurance, the town was still deserted.
The President-General, Bakana Community Development Association, Iloye Braide, stated that the few people in the town are now living in fear as a lot of the residents had fled to Port Harcourt.
Braide said, “Everyone lives in fear in the Bakana community. For quite some time now, we have been hearing sporadic gunshots around the town.
Confirming the incident, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the command is aware of the killing of two residents of Bakana by hoodlums, who attacked the community.
He urged the residents, who fled the community, to return and continue their lawful activities as the police were prepared to give them the needed protection.
