SOLDIERS, last night, invaded Okpelama community, Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, in search of militants, who commenced bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in state, few hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, last Thursday.
Vanguard learned that the soldiers were also keeping surveillance on Kurutie, the hometown of Tompolo and Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom. Tompolo, however, has continued to plead his innocence in the attacks, saying he did not carry out any bombing and did not send anybody to destroy oil installations. He insisted that his enemies sponsored the mayhem to spite him.
A source at the community told Vanguard that the soldiers, who stormed the community with gunboats at about 10.45 pm on Saturday broke into homes of the villagers, many of whom scampered into the bush on sighting them as they alighted at the jetty front.
His words, “We have all relocated to the forest for safety; We saw them (soldiers) breaking into houses, probably in search of arms and those responsible for the attacks on the pipeline facilities a few days ago.”
He said some members of the community were still in the bush at about 7.30 am Sunday morning. Chairman of the community, who later spoke to Vanguard on phone, corroborated the invasion, saying that the people were surprised that soldiers invaded the town, as they had nothing to do with the ongoing attacks by militants.
He disclosed that soldiers did not contact leaders of the community on the reason for their invasion, adding, “At the moment, my community is practically a ghost town, the people are running away to Warri and other places.”
A security source, however, told Vanguard, “There is information that some of the boys sponsored to carry out the attacks are from Okpelama, which is why soldiers went to the community in search of them.”
Okpelama community chairman told one of our reporters that after last night’s raid, the soldiers came back again on Sunday morning to the community’s waterfront, but did not enter inside.
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Posted: at 17-01-2016 10:39 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
zezprincess at 17-01-2016 11:07 PM (8 years ago) (f)
Kk,warri war zone!military regime in making.Rubbish.
Posted: at 17-01-2016 11:07 PM (8 years ago) | Hero
Powerfulify at 17-01-2016 11:32 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Give people what they deserve n close the matter, everyday millions, billions n trillions will b missing n people will b dying every moment of hardship. Nonsense govt
Posted: at 17-01-2016 11:32 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
THAT WAS GREAT MOVE, 9JA MILITARY NEED TO KILL THIS RUBBISH ONE'S AND FOR ALL. WE CAN'T WAIT AND BE LOOKING FOR OUR PROPERTY TO TERMINATNG EVRYDAY. PLS KILL ANYBDY KILLABLE.
Posted: at 18-01-2016 04:17 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
Same soldiers to fish out corrupt politicians- others looting the treasury of the Nation. Same courage to put an end to Book people. Same action to those companies polluting the lands &waters then all will be well.
Posted: at 18-01-2016 04:59 AM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
Nobody is above the law of Nigeria and hold Nigeria to ransom. Nigeria might be living on Niger Delta oil today but it might not tomorrow. Because, before oil discovered Nigeria was living on something from another state. Someday, Sometime......we all need somebody to lean on........SUCH IS LIFE
Posted: at 18-01-2016 05:57 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Its so painful dat its military dat will suffer dis more wen d gbege start. D govt shld tread wit caution. I don't care who don't like wat I comment but d truth is they shld not use force to treat dis guy case Hmmmm.
Posted: at 18-01-2016 09:42 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
factfinding at 18-01-2016 10:20 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Its 100% possible that someone else is bombing the pipeline to make his case worst, Its also 100% possible that his men is doing it to scared buhari's Govt away from arresting the man,
Posted: at 18-01-2016 10:20 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac