Members of the Joint military task force (JTF) stormed Gbaramatu Kingdom earlier today in search of members of the Niger Delta Avengers.
The NDA have become a real problem for the government with their incessant attack on oil installations in the area which has severely affected the nation economically.
The attack was reported to have taken place around 2 am with reports alleging that the JTF members beat anyone in sight including women and children.
The Vanguard reports that the Military arrived with about 7 gunboats and beat up community members including a community leader Atiti Mala who was hit with the butt of a gun.
A youth leader said of the attacks, “They were asking the helpless villagers to produce former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and members of the Niger Delta Avengers,”
Many of the victims had to flee to the woods to escape the onslaught.
An Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, confirmed the attack and said as reported by the Vanguard “Information available to me is that the military invaded Oporoza again in the early hours of today. As I am speaking to you, they are still there molesting people.
“They have arrested many persons and villagers have fled into the bush, this is wrong, they are going to worsen issues with what they are doing. I posted on Facebook that they invaded Oporoza and a military called me to tell me that they would deal with me. “We are not safe, we have said it over and over that Gbaramatu people are not synonymous with Niger Delta Avengers, they should leave my people along. If they want to kill me, let them go ahead, but I will continue to say the truth, why are they harassing my people, they should harass the militants whose activities we condemn,”