Military officials have given a one week ultimatum to eight communities in Emohua, Rivers state to produce gunmen who allegedly shot dead a soldier and a policeman while they were on duty.
According to Niger Delta Voices, the two security officials were ambushed at Emohua-Kalabari Road.
A source revealed that the brigade commander in charge of Rumuokoro Army Barracks in Port Harcourt visited Emohua in the company of military men and went to the palace.
“During the visit, the brigade commander gave the eight communities of Emohua one-week ultimatum to produce the killers of the officers, otherwise the communities will face the wrath of the command.”
It was reported that people have begun to flee the communities as they have not been able to produce the killers. The ruler condemned the act but declared that the communities were not responsible for the action.
Some people in the community were seen going about their normal duties during the weekend and it was also observed that no security operative was seen intimidating them.
According to a villager, “The brigade commander told our royal father that Emohua community should produce the killers of the security agents. Okor told him that road is being used by four local governments in the state and that soldiers should carefully investigate to find out the culprits. He also told them that in their investigation, they should secure the lives and properties of Emohua people.”
The monarch said he called a meeting after the soldiers left to discuss it with members of the communities and they later appointed three persons to visit Rumuokoro Barracks and try to pacify the commander not to wage a war on them while investigations was still going on.
Niger Delta Voices reported that the monarch’s son, Prince Chigozie Okor said they were surprised the military assumed the communities were responsible just because the crime was committed in their area.
“We do not understand the reason why the soldiers will walk straight into our community to demand that we provide the gunmen who killed two of their men.
“The road where the officers were killed is a major route to three other local government areas in the state, namely Degema, Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru, why should they point finger at Emohua? They should carry out investigation on the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice; they should not involve civilians, who do not have what it takes to carry out such task.”
The police divisional headquarters said the matter was not officially reported to them but they are already in touch to ensure peace between the two parties.
In a another development, President Muhammadu Buhari was criticised for not addressing the rising massacre going on in Jos. The latest was a twin bomb that claimed the lives of more than 40 persons in an already volatile city.
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