Officers of the Nigerian Army on Monday invaded Kalaekuleama, a community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, burning down every house on sight.
Herald Nigeria learnt that the incident, which was carried out by personnel of the Operation Delta Safe, followed allegations that the community was hosting oil bunkering activities.
A chief in the area, Joel Asobari, told The Punch that it was not true that the community was harbouring illegal oil bunkering operators and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter.
He said, “We were in our house when the JTF men came in a gunboat and a speed boat. The boats were loaded with armed soldiers.
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“When they came, they said the residents should vacate the community because they wanted to burn down the houses. They went into action without listening to our pleas and rendered us homeless.
“We are pleading with the government to come to our aid. We are now without clothes and are homeless.”
“The only school that we built has been burnt to ashes; now, our children have no school again. We want the government to intervene and help us out,” he added.