Bayelsa: Troops raze down Azagbene Community in revenge for killing Soldiers
Soldiers of the Nigerian Army allegedly invaded Azagbene Federated community in EKELGA Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, and began burning houses in retaliation for the killing of two soldiers by suspected pirates.
The armed men burnt down several houses and destroyed properties worth millions during the raid that had residents running for their lives. The palace of the paramount ruler was also not spared by the soldiers as it was razed down.
A source within EKELGA Local Government Area in Bayelsa state who pleaded anonymity, told The Liberator that the attack by the soldiers was a reprisal over the killing of two of their colleagues, guarding an oil facility in the area.
“A whole part of the town has been completely burnt down and we’re appealing for help and understanding from the soldiers.”
The source had reported that most of the homes burnt by the angry soldiers belonged to innocent people and not the suspected killers of the soldiers, we don’t even know who they are.
How soldiers died
According to a community source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the well-armed suspected militants who came in a speedboat, struck on Monday night, leaving two soldiers dead, one other missing and carted away with their riffles.
Explaining further, he said that after the incident, stern-looking soldiers on Tuesday morning invaded the community, burning houses as villagers scampered into the bush for safety.
“When the soldiers entered our community, they directed us to leave because they were going to burn everything to the ground and that anybody that fails to comply with the directive would be killed.
“Before some of us left the community, I saw the building of our paramount ruler on fire. Even my family house has been burnt to the ground. As I speak with you, we are suffering for a crime we didn’t commit.”
