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Soldiers have invaded Bille community, in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State in search of suspected pirates who killed some of their colleagues.
Meanwhile, the residents of communities in Bille have fled their homes for fear of being caught up in the crises that could ensue from the invasion.
Feelers have it that the criminals killed some military men and made away with sophisticated weapons seized from them.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the soldiers invaded Bille community and shot sporadically into the air adding that some even barged into people’s houses to intimidate the occupants.
He added that the situation has compelled many landlords and residents to flee their properties for a safe haven
“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 President, Bille Youths Federation, Osaki Wellington, who said pirate attacks had been causing tension in the community, added that the military invasion aggravated the situation.
“The community was actually tense because we lost our son and now the military is coming in again,” he stated.
However, the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt spokesman, Major Iweha Ikedichi, confirmed the presence of the soldiers in the community but noted that they were there for a purpose.
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.”
Meanwhile, a stray bullet from a soldier’s gun allegedly hit a lady along Harbour Road in the Port Harcourt area of the state.
An eyewitness, who does not want to be mentioned for security reasons, said the soldier was chasing a man, who was transporting illegally refined petroleum products along the route on Tuesday.
The eyewitness said the military man chased the suspect round the area and fired into the air, adding that as the suspect, while speeding off in his Toyota Camry, rammed into the fence of a hotel.
“It was like a movie when the vehicle crashed into the hotel, the military man jumped on the vehicle and the man came out and took to his heels. The soldier shot, but the bullet hit a lady who was on her own.
She was immediately rushed to the hospital,” he said.
Bille community is a riverine area and predominantly dominated by the Ijaw people living in Rivers state.