Community accuses soldiers of burning their houses over colleague's death

An oil-polluted area in Niger Delta

An oil-rich Azagbene community in Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa State on Tuesday accused soldiers of allegedly burning down houses in the community over the killing of their colleague.

A source from a neighbouring community who pleaded anonymity said the soldiers reacted to an ambush orchestrated by a youth from the community in the early hours of Tuesday on a military platform securing oil-wells near the community.

He alleged the culprit ambushed and opened fire on the security post, killing a soldier and injuring a local vigilante from the community carrying out joint security.

According to him, "a young man went to the military post close to the community last night with a hand-pulling boat, where they are securing oil-wells belonging to Shell.”

He ambushed and opened fired on them, killing a soldier and injuring a local vigilante from the community. He also made away with a rifle. 

"There was tension in the community and the youths got wind of the information and apprehended the culprit. They tied him down in the community.

"The soldiers on getting information of the development came to the community. But, on sighting the soldiers coming, they fled out of fear.

"As the youths fled, leaving the culprit tied on the spot, somebody went and untied him and he also fled the scene.

"Angered by this scenario, the soldiers began burning houses mostly belonging to the culprit's family.

"As I'm talking to you now, most community folk are in the mangrove forest for fear of the soldiers".

A military source however denied the allegations of burning down saying it has not been reported or confirmed.