In response to the military operation in Delta State and Bayelsa State that resulted in the deaths of 17 soldiers, the former Head of Reintegration of the Presidential Amnesty Program, Alfred Kemepado, made allegations that there were images and videos showing people lying in pools of blood in Igbomotoru as well as footage showing houses being set on fire in the Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa state.
He reaffirmed his support for the armed forces and other security services at this time of grief and urged all parties involved to work together to make sure those responsible are held accountable. But in reacting to the circumstance, he advised moderation, warning against unbridled rage that would heighten tensions.
The President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the Nigerian Soldiers marching order to find the perpetrators behind the killing of the four senior officers and 12 soldiers in Okuama Community. However, the critical worry is about the carriage of the military operation and how it could affect the lives of the civilians living in those communities. The military is currently carrying out operations in Delta state and Bayelsa State owing to the fact that the two states share close boundaries.
He said in an interview with Arise TV, ”This is a very sad time for all of us and nothing really makes sense at this particular point in time apart from condoling with the slain soldiers’ families. It’s very difficult to speak outside condolence. But coming to the issue of fact, we have videos and pictures of people lying in the pool of their blood in Igbomotoru.
And we have also seen videos of houses being razed. At the end of the day, what we are saying is that we are mourning with the military and other security agencies. We are calling on all stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. But in the course of that, let’s tame our anger. So that the videos and reports that we are getting now, when access is granted will turn out not to be true. But for now, the pictures and information we are getting are worrisome.”
