Mastermind of naval personnel killing feared dead in military invasion
Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:03:am Crime
1.3K By Afam Jude Offor
Suspected mastermind behind the killing of four naval ratings and kidnap of three expatriates off the coast of Bayelsa State has been feared dead in an invasion of Bilabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
On January 7, gunmen had stormed the coast off Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area and seized a dredger owned by Sterling Global Dredger being escorted by naval personnel. The gunmen in the process of abducting the three foreigners working with the firm gunned down four naval ratings. Though the three kidnapped foreigners were later rescued, naval operatives and military intelligence officers began a manhunt for the alleged killers which led to the invasion of Bilibiri community. According to investigations, troops from military formation in Bayelsa State on Friday, January 17, invaded Bilibiri in 19 gunboats in search of the gang. The operation in the community, which lasted three hours, was said to have led to the death of the key suspect in the killing of the naval ratings. There is, however, confusion whether it was the Flag Officer Commanding of the Central Naval Command headquarters, Yenagoa, Real Admiral Saidu Garba, or the Commander of Operation Delta Safe Joint Task Force, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, that ordered the invasion, Though the confusion has not been cleared as none of the military formation had issued any statement in response to enquiry on the reason for the invasion, sources said both Akinrinade and Garba have zero tolerance for hoodlums that killed military personnel under their command.
A military source disclosed the Army was not involved in the operation, noting that it was the navy that carried out the operation. “Contrary to what people are saying, the operation was not carried out by the army but naval personnel. The army has no facility in that area; it is only the navy that operates there. The military does not condone criminality and that is why, the navy went hard on the people of the area for the killing of the four naval ratings.” Ekeremor council Chairman, Bertola Perekeme, has condemned the invasion and burning of houses in the community. Perekeme, in a statement, while condoling with the military over the loss of lives, said invading communities and burning of houses in the guise of searching for criminals is not fashionable in a democratic setting. He expressed regret that communities whose inhabitants have been living in fear of continued intimidation by criminal elements would be subjected to military invasion.
On January 7, gunmen had stormed the coast off Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area and seized a dredger owned by Sterling Global Dredger being escorted by naval personnel. The gunmen in the process of abducting the three foreigners working with the firm gunned down four naval ratings. Though the three kidnapped foreigners were later rescued, naval operatives and military intelligence officers began a manhunt for the alleged killers which led to the invasion of Bilibiri community. According to investigations, troops from military formation in Bayelsa State on Friday, January 17, invaded Bilibiri in 19 gunboats in search of the gang. The operation in the community, which lasted three hours, was said to have led to the death of the key suspect in the killing of the naval ratings. There is, however, confusion whether it was the Flag Officer Commanding of the Central Naval Command headquarters, Yenagoa, Real Admiral Saidu Garba, or the Commander of Operation Delta Safe Joint Task Force, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, that ordered the invasion, Though the confusion has not been cleared as none of the military formation had issued any statement in response to enquiry on the reason for the invasion, sources said both Akinrinade and Garba have zero tolerance for hoodlums that killed military personnel under their command.
A military source disclosed the Army was not involved in the operation, noting that it was the navy that carried out the operation. “Contrary to what people are saying, the operation was not carried out by the army but naval personnel. The army has no facility in that area; it is only the navy that operates there. The military does not condone criminality and that is why, the navy went hard on the people of the area for the killing of the four naval ratings.” Ekeremor council Chairman, Bertola Perekeme, has condemned the invasion and burning of houses in the community. Perekeme, in a statement, while condoling with the military over the loss of lives, said invading communities and burning of houses in the guise of searching for criminals is not fashionable in a democratic setting. He expressed regret that communities whose inhabitants have been living in fear of continued intimidation by criminal elements would be subjected to military invasion.
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