According to Jonathan Lokpobiri, the president of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), many people were slain when the military attacked the Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa State.
The military reportedly raided Igbomotoru community to look for the suspected killer after 17 soldiers were killed at Okuama community in Delta State, according to sources. According to the sources, a number of individuals were killed when the military entered the neighborhood and started shooting at the locals while setting fire to some of the buildings.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Lokpobiri said that from the report he got, the military was shooting indiscriminately when they got to Igbomotoru, and people who were trying to run into bushes for safety were hit by the bullets.
According to the report by Daily Post, he said that independent investigations should be conducted into the invasion of the Bayelsa community by the military.
Speaking further, he advised communities not to condone criminal elements living among them because doing so could pose a serious threat to the entire people there.
He said, “I believe that leaders of the country and the state should conduct a certain level of independent investigation to know what has led to the killing and sacking of a whole community.
“I learnt that many of our people who were escaping into the forest were hit by bullets because they were indiscriminately shooting at anyone at sight. We can’t adopt this method in resolving disputes.
“I will request for a probe into the killings in Bayelsa. An admonition to communities not to tolerate people who are outlaws living in the community because it could pose danger for peace and security in the community.”
