Rivers Community Accuses Soldiers Of Invasion

The people of Ihuaje in
Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised alarm over alleged invasion of the community by soldiers over a missing rifle.
Speaking with The Tide in an interview, an indigene of the community, Mr. Esor Robinson Ewor who doubles as the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to a construction company, HADO/Diarycent Limited as well as Chairman Community Development Committee, CDC, said the soldiers attacked the community over alleged missing weapon, burning houses and destroying other valuable property.
Ewor also confirmed that the missing gun had been traced to an indigene of the community working in the company. He said the community has known no peace since July 26, and the called on the Military Garrison Commander and the Government to save them from the soldiers.
Narrating how the trouble started, Ewor said, “It was on the July 26, that military men attached to the construction company HADO/Diarycent Nigeria Limited, woke to discover that one of their guns was missing.
“The Soldiers are resident in the company’s operational yard. After the muster, they discovered that one of their staff who is an indigene of the host community was absent. On further investigation, especially through the CCTV Camera, he was found to have collected the gun and jumped the fence.
“Efforts were made to recover the weapon from the culprit. While the efforts were ongoing, a stronger group met him and collected the weapon from him.
“Because the suspect is a member of this community, the Army now transferred their grievances on the community, insisting that the community should either produce the boy or return the weapon.
“The boy is presently on the run but the community is making efforts to trace his whereabouts to recover the weapon from him. Meanwhile, the military in their way of life and impatience, invaded the community, burning houses, destroying motor bikes and several other things.
“No fewer than ten houses have been destroyed, but thank God nobody has been killed; people have fled their houses to their relatives in the  neighbouring communities, while those that have nowhere to go to are now hiding in the bushes.
Asked how many times they have invaded the community he said, twice on Wednesday and Friday and are still threatening to come back and level what is remaining in the community if the gun is not recovered by them.
“That is why people of the community have all scattered. They destroyed one thing or the other, burnt houses in each of the visits”, he said.

Emenike Benson Agimo