4 feared killed as soldiers, militants clash in Rivers
Two
soldiers and two suspected militants were feared killed during a gun
battle in Yeghe, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday.
A group of soldiers had on Monday night, raided the residence of a
former militant leader, Solomon Ndigbara, also known as Osama Bin Laden,
even as some gunmen suspected to be supporters of the ex-warlord
engaged the soldiers in crossfire. Ndigbara’s house in Gokana and the
campaign office of All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate
for Rivers South East, Senator Magnus Abe, in Khana were touched during
the crisis. Sources said apart from the four persons that were killed,
many others were injured, while some residents have deserted the area.
The shooting was said to have forced the closure of Ken Saro-Wiwa
Polytechnic in Bori, traditional headquarter of Ogoniland. A student of
the school, who identified herself simply as Favour, said they were told
that the polytechnic was on “indefinite lecture- free day” Meanwhile,
Paramount Ruler of Yeghe Community, His Royal Highness, Chief Mene
Baridam, has condemned the killing of two soldiers and other innocent
Ogonis in Bori and Yeghe. Baridam, who spoke through a statement signed
by his aide, Mr. Konfidence Ati expressed worry over the destruction of
property belonging to Ogoni people.
He appealed to the Chief of Army Staff and the Rivers State
Government to intervene in the crisis, even as he described Ogoniland as
peaceful and should not be turned to a war zone. It was, however,
gathered that some persons, who were travelling from Port Harcourt to
Gokana, Khana and other neighbouring Ogoni communities, were forced to
go back due to the heavy shooting. Reacting, 2 Brigade of the Nigerian
Army in Port Harcourt told our correspondent that no life was lost in
the ongoing operations. Also, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom
Wike, has called on all residents of Khana and Gokana Local Government
Areas, who fled as a result of military presence in the area, to return
to their homes. Wike explained that the heavy military presence in the
area was targetted at protecting security of lives and property and not
to harm law abiding residents. In a statement issued by his Special
Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor assured
the people of their safety. He pointed out that his administration
would always enhance the security of all residents of the state and
appealed to the people of Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas to
cooperate with security agencies to maintain law and order.
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