Fear of reprisals, as suspected militants kill soldier in Delta

Fear of reprisals from soldiers has gripped members of Ogbogbagbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State over the alleged killing of a soldier at the wee hours of Thursday by suspected militants.

But spokesperson for the Joint Task Force (JTF), codenamed Operation Safe Delta (OPDS), Major Abubakar Abdulahi, didn’t pick his calls nor respond to messages sent to him to ascertain the veracity of the claim.

Report said the rampaging militants invaded the army formation at the community, killing the soldier and a yet-to-be identified native while many others sustained severe injuries.

As of the time of filing this report, the villagers were said to be taking cover in homes and the woods in case of a reprisal attack from other soldiers who might go after the culprits.

The councillor representing Tamingbe Ward 4 in the Bomadi Legislative Council, Angodi Akpo, in a report, said: “The community is on siege for now.”

According to him, “Everyone is apprehensive and is locked indoors over the likely action of the military, following the attack.”

He, however, called for caution on the part of the Nigerian military as they comb the community for the killers.

“I am calling for caution on the part of the Nigeria military as they should use their intelligence to fish out the perpetrators of this act who have since fled the area after the attack rather than harassing innocent residents in the area,” he warned.

It was gathered that the hoodlums invaded the military formation at about 2:00a.m on Thursday and overpowered the soldiers, taking then unawares.

Meanwhile, a top security agent informed journalists that the identities of the assailants were yet to be ascertained, but confirmed the killing of a soldier and the making away with a military gunboat, arms and ammunition.