Joshua Macaiver, caretaker committee chairman of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state, says his community members did not kill the three soldiers attached to operation pulo shield – the joint task force (JTF) – in the Niger Delta.
The soldiers were killed on Monday night in Foropa, a community in Southern Ijaw.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, Macaive said he would collaborate with government and security agencies to apprehend and arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“The people of Southern Ijaw LGA would not rest on their oars until those behind the killing of the three soldiers are brought to justice,” he said.
“We will not condone any form of violence and criminal activities that would threaten the peace of the area.”
Macaicer asked residents who fled the community for fear of military invasion to return, saying Dickson has assured them of their safety.
Ebi Llyod Alamene, a traditional ruler, also decried the incident and expressed the community’s readiness to go into the creeks and surrounding villages to fish out those who committed the crime.
“Foropa Community is not a militant abode. We do not harbour criminals and hoodlums. The JTF has been with us for over 5 years and so they know how peaceful we are,” he said.
“These persons came from the river and operated and left so we too are looking for them. Concerning the incident that happened on May 10, our hearts are bleeding. This is because we don’t believe in violence in Foropa.
“The army has come to settle down with us and Foropa has been peaceful. We condemn the killing by all standards and we will never support it.
“We can never be for it. We are ready to cooperate with the government to go into the creeks and the surrounding villages, wherever they are to fish them out and hand them over to the government. We are a harmless people; we don’t have guns, but we can give information.”
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