For about a week, this month, many com
munities in Rivers State sat on the edge
for fears of possible military raid. Some actually received the baptism of fire and told tales of woe, protests, losses and the rape on their fundamental human rights.
Stories of the mode of operations and the sheer brutality exhibited elicited divergent comments across the state. In fact, it was alleged to have been masterminded by rival political parties. That the raid had raised a dust that will not clear overnight had become rather very clear.
But a press statement from the military tended to redirect the growing anger. The military had admitted carrying out the raid with orders from Abuja to mop-up arms in Rivers State. Until then, people had interpreted the use of masks by the attackers to mean attack from their enemies.
This is where the military could have inadvertently caused problem than peace in Rivers State. For legitimate authorities to go the way they did and the mayhem they unleashed could not have been traced to the Nigerian military that has a record of sound civil engagements.
The military had invaded Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area on January 6, 2016 and gone for some persons identified to be members of a particular political party. Reports from there indicate that houses were destroyed, including that of the chairman of the Caretaker Committee.
Before they left Buguma, no fewer than five young men were said to have lost their lives while about 50 persons, including men and women were taken away. In fact, for an eye witness, it was a replay of the Nigerian Civil War.
Gokana Local Government Area was also raided, where the home of one Chief Solomon Ndigbara was burnt, while his wife, children and 70 year old mother were taken away. A similar raid took place at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and the story is the same.
The Tide thinks that if these raids were actually carried out by the military, the level of violence inflicted on civilian population cannot be supported. The action of the attackers should raise ethical and professional concerns in the Nigerian military.
Indeed, the military also needs to purge itself of allegations of selective targeting with political colorations. At a time all hands are required to contribute to the strengthening of democracy in Nigeria, the military cannot afford to be seen in any other light.
By the use of face-masks during the raids, not only would the ordinary person see them as robbers, they have opened the way to enemies to attack each other in masks as they would be taken for the police or the military on duty. This is avoidable.
We think that all these negate the very principles of the Nigerian Constitution. In the first place, no one is guilty until after conviction. But to treat the people as criminals even when no case had been raised against them is a disgrace. To take anyone for the sins of another is illegal, but to take the family of one who had not been convicted is strange to our system.
While all well-meaning persons, including The Tide support the fight against corruption, criminality and aimless agitation, the repeated highhandedness of the military on the ordinary civilian has gone on enough. The apparent disregard for the rules of engagement on matters involving civilians should no longer be tolerated.
The Tide thinks that the military is even late in mopping up arms as the increase in the rate of robberies, kidnapping and community clashes could have been averted. Indeed, the best time to do the mop-up was immediately after the dis-arming of the Niger Delta militants.
The military owes it a duty to make our streets and towns free of guns, but they must be seen to be professional, impartial and humane. They need to consider the image of the military and Nigeria as a whole. Above all, their operations should not be allowed to trigger another crisis in the Niger Delta.