Again, marauding military personnel beat up old women, destroy properties in Bayelsa community

A military Joint Task Force, ‘Operation Delta Safe’ has again militarised the Igbomotoru community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where some old women were injured and several properties were destroyed on Friday.

This is one incident that had been outrightly condemned by members of the public and the human rights community.

The incident was said to have taken place on Friday morning when suspected military operatives of Delta Safe stormed the community in a commando style, brutalised old women and destroyed several properties in the community.

It was learnt that residents are now living in fear following the continuous military harassment in the community.

However, the community continued to deny knowledge of any involvement in criminal activities in the community.

They reiterated the call on the Bayelsa State government to prevail on Operation Delta Safe to stop further invasion of the community.

Recall, the military in a report said the military operations in the community were due to a bunkering site discovered about 1.5km away from the community.

When contacted, Comrade Ozobo Austin, a Niger Delta rights activist said the military’s excuse for rampaging the Igbomotoru community is misplaced, adding that attacking a lawful community because of bunkering activities at a distance of 1.5km from the community is animalistic and unprofessional.

He added that some military personnel need psychiatric examination before being given such an elevated office to avoid disgracing the evergreen Nigerian military.