JTF Invades Bayelsa Community, Raze Palace, Houses To The Ground

Bilabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was on Friday, attacked by Men of the Joint
Military Task Force (JTF) leading to the killing of a key suspect involved in the murder of some Naval ratings.

The invasion forced residents to flee into the creeks for safety as some parts of the community were burnt during the search for suspects in the murder of Four Naval ratings a fortnight ago.

The military reportedly stormed the community at about 10am in about nineteen gunboats, shooting sporadically into the air before setting selected houses ablaze, including the Palace of a paramount ruler. The attack was said to have lasted more than three hours.

Ekeremor Federated Youth Council (EFYC), through the President, Mr. Etolor Prince, frowned at the destruction of Bilabiri community by soldiers, describing the action of the military as unprofessional.

Here's what he said;
“The ongoing military invasion at Bilabiri community is one too many occurrence in Ekeremor LGA and It is so sad that I have to once again condemn this continuous unprofessional act of the Nigerian military at the slightest provocation.

“It is so sad and annoying to note that, one will never see them carrying out this practice in the north where our brothers in the military are killed on duty every now and then but our case here is nothing to write home about. They (military) should know that this approach is not working and will never work.

“Please, it is high time the legal luminaries in our region stood up to this injustice meted on our people. I strongly believe, legal actions can go a long way to tackle this menace.

“At this juncture, please permit me to sympathize with the people of Bilabiri I & II communities for the loss and I urge government at all levels most especially well meaning leaders to immediately come to the aid of our people in any way possible to cushion the immediate hardship caused by this attack.”

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About two weeks ago, some unknown gunmen reportedly killed four Naval ratings and abducted two foreigners at Agge coastal area, close to Bilabiri community. Reports have it that the gunmen seized a dredger escorted by the operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS). They launched an attack on the Sterling Global Dredger causing heavy gun battle between them and the ratings.

The gun battle, was said to have lasted for hours, subsequently leading to the killings of the four ratings with others sustaining injuries. The gunmen hijacked the dredger and also abducted two Russian nationals and one Indian.