The Igbomotoru village in Bayelsa state wrote a heartbreaking letter to Professor Benjamin Okaba, the president of the Ijaw National Congress, informing him that over 80 people had died terribly. He claimed that a large number of the fatalities were innocent bystanders who were standing by the jetty, thinking the approaching military officials were there to protect the property, and were therefore oblivious of the approaching danger.
He stated that the situation in the community has deteriorated significantly, with residents trapped and unable to leave due to the military’s presence. He also pinpointed the blockade that prevents essential supplies, particularly food, from reaching the community, exacerbating the dire conditions.
The Ijaw President who displayed the letter on camera pleaded that the military should go after the perpetrators of the killing of the 16 soldiers and not the innocent citizens. Meanwhile, the Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Christopher Musa has claimed that they have been able to identify the perpetrators who are currently being shielded by some highly placed individuals.
He said in an interview with Arise TV, ”I just got a letter from Igbomotoru community that over 80 persons were just killed. Some of them were just standing by the jetty not knowing what was happening when the military officers came. They thought it was the same military officers guiding the facilities. They never knew they were coming to retaliate.
As we speak, those left in the community cannot get out of the community. Nobody can get into the community so there is no supply of food. People are now dying of starvation. The water is already polluted because dead bodies are now floating on the rivers. We also learnt that the military officers are now going from one place to another searching for criminals. But we are saying that they should spare innocent people and be very professional.”
