Soldiers Invade Edo Communities in Search of Killers of Colleague

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Men of the Nigeria Army have intensified efforts to recover the gun belonging to a soldier that was killed by yet- to -be identified persons in Ajakurama community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The late soldier who was buried in a shallow grave by his killers was on a routine patrol in the area when he and others were ambushed.

It was gathered that over 50 soldiers have been drafted to Ajakurama and other neighbouring communities in a bid to apprehend the killers and recover the soldier’s gun.

Sources at Ofunama and Ajakurama said many of the villagers have fled for fear of being attacked while others refused to leave their homes.

The source said many of them fled through the river to their relatives in Benin City.

Spokesman for Ajakurama community, Edah Tam Nike, said they were shocked at the treatment being meted by the soldiers despite the pledge by the community to join in the search party. Edah stated that the villagers were not allowed to leave because the soldiers were concerned about the gun.

Spokesperson for the Operation Delta Safe, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, denied any harassment by the soldiers.

He however, said the soldiers were only carrying out a surgical operation to isolate the hoodlums. He urged the villagers not to be afraid but to go about their normal duties.

His words, “Our troops were attacked by miscreants and unfortunately we lost one soldier.

“What we are doing is a surgical operation to isolate the miscreants and get them arrested. We are after the miscreants. The people are advised to go about their lawful duties. “It is not true that we are stopping them.”