Residents of Elem Tombia community,old abode of the people of Nyamkpo Tombia, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have fled from their community following heavy attacks by unidentified gunmen dressed in military uniforms. The gunmen were said to have stormed the ancient community with four gunboats and coordinated the attacks on Elem Tombia while two others concentrated on Ogboma Ama,a suburb of the community.
This revelation was made last Sunday in Port Harcourt by the Amadabo of Elem Tombia and Chairman of Oceanic Amalgamated Communities of Tombia Kingdom, Chief Sagbe Tombotamuno-a Atkinson in an exclusive chat with The Tide.
Chief Sagbe also disclosed that the assailants stormed his community on Friday, September 20,and invaded the peaceful town in the most condemnable manner.
The assailants came in broad daylight to the community, beating up people,invaded the town and destroyed buildings.They were shooting sporadically while the villagers scampered for safety”, he said.
The Amadabo continued,that items such as cell phones,foods/drinks,cloths and a total amount of six hundred and sixty nine thousand naira were also carted away by the attackers.
“Though lives were not lost houses, including the town hall were brazenly razed by the gunboats operators.One stranger who is residing in the community was whisked away to an unknown destination”, the Amadabo lamented.
Recalling a similar attack on the community on September 13,2008 which was executed with sixteen gunboats and two choppers,the community leader expressed wonder over why the attack on the community, which is not at war with any community.
“There is the presence of a warship in the Elem Tombia rivers to keep security.The name of the ship is NNS CONQUER-P739.What I don’t know is whether there is a conspiracy,” Chief Sagbe cried out.
An eye witness who is an indigene of the community,Tonye Samuel said: “The gunboats were six in number.They were shooting indiscriminately between Elem Tombia and Ogboma, looted property belonging to the villagers. Some of us ran into the forests,others ran into nearby mangroves. When we came back after several hours, most of our houses have been razed down.”
Another witness, who confirmed the incident to The Tide, Tonye Abbey, also said: “Property worth millions of naira have been destroyed following the attacks. Some of the villagers have not been found since the attacks. This attack on our community is one too many,we were peaceful, yet they came and destroyed our community”.
The King of the community urgently called on President Mohammadu Buhari,The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,
The Chairman Degema Local Government Council Hon.Tony Philmoore,and all relevant security agencies to beef up security around Elem Tombia community to forestall further occurrences.