Blessing Okorite, Port Harcourt
Abonnema community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State is now in fear following the killing of another two soldiers by unknown gunmen.
The Nigerian Xpress learned that residents and indigenes of the area are relocating from the area in fear of being attacked by Military men.
It would be recalled that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed the same Abonema during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which resulted to the killing of over alleged 23 people in the area by angry military.
A source from the area, who pleaded disclosed that the unknown hoodlums who allegedly came on speed boats via water killed the two soldiers around Obonoma community in the area.
He said: “As I talk to you now we are living in fear. Some gunmen, whom we don’t believe are from our place killed two soldiers at Obonomo road.
“There is fear now because we perceive that military will invade and take siege of this place.
“I can also confirm to you now that some people are leaving to other communities. Some have moved to nearest communities of Degema LGA.”
Meanwhile, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, has condemned the development, stressing that the killers of the military men were not from Abonnema.
He said: “The information I am getting is that Criminal elements attacked a military checking between Obonoma and Abonnema and killed soldiers.
“We are shocked about this news. We condemned it in its entirety. This is not the attitude of our people because we have lived with the military for years.
“We are shocked about this attacks on military. I am telling you that this people who killed the military are not our people. They are criminals who invade our community from time to time for oil bunkering and stealing of other valuables.
“They are bandits who cause us trouble. We are pained by the development. We have asked our people to be vigilant and report any suspicious person to us and the security so that they will be arrested.”
As at press time, the 6 Division Nigerian Army was yet to react on the killings.
