We remain professional, civil in search killers of soldier in Niger Delta- JTF

The Joint Task Force  (JTF) deployed to the Niger Delta on Tuesday assured that its ongoing operation to fish out killers of its soldier in Delta at the weekend is within its rule of engagement.

Unidentified gunmen had killed a soldier on duty at Ogbugbagbene settlement , Burutu Local Government Area of Delta on Saturday and made away with the slain soldier’s arms.

The assurance followed concerns expressed by stakeholders who claimed that the military had invaded communities near the crime scene.

Maj. Abubakar Abudullahi, Spokesman of the Joint Military Force, codenamed Operation Delta Safe confirmed the demise of a soldier on Tuesday.

Abdullahi said that investigations was underway while ongoing efforts to bring those behind the dastardly act was ‘normal and routine’

It will be recalled that Commander of the joint force Rear Admiral Suilemen Apochi had warned that attacks on troops performing military duties would no longer be tolerated.

Apochi had said during the cold blooded morder of some soldiers at Ajakpa in Ondo that any community that harbours criminals had lost its immunity.

The Bayelsa chapter of Civil Liberties Organisation in a statement issued by its Chairman, Chief Nengi James condemned the attack and killing of a soldier and urged the military to guard against molestation of innocent people.

James urged the military authorities to ensure that the conduct of the search is done within the limits of the law and best practices.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) also earlier condemned the killing of a soldier on duty at Ogbugbagbene settlement , Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

Mr Eric Omare, the president of the IYC who condemned the killing urged the military to exercise restrain in its bid to bring perpetrators to book.

Omare and urged the military to collaborate with community leaders to fish out those behind the act.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the gruesome murder of a soldier by unknown gun men.

“The IYC states that the invasion, sporadic shooting and arrest of community leaders and members of the Delta and Bayelsa boundary communities is counterproductive.

“The current hostilities meted out to settlements along the Forcados River is not the solution to the security challenge.

“Since the unfortunate murder, communities along the Forcados River such as Bomadi, Tuomo, Tamigbe, Toru-Ndoro, Bulu-Ndoro, Ogbugbagebne, Ojobo, Torugbene, Letugbene and other communities have been under heavy military siege.

“The movement of the people has been highly restricted and economic activities paralyzed,” Omare said.