LAGOS AUGUST 20TH (URHOBOTODAY) — THERE was confusion in Egbemene community, opposite Macver Market, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, as soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF, raided the quiet neighbourhood in alleged pursuit of suspected female crude oil bunkerers.
Vanguard gathered that the suspects, who were conveying diesel in a boat to Warri, ran into the community and fled in a desperate attempt to escape from the soldiers, who were chasing them.
They abandoned the boat on the riverbank, while the soldiers ransacked homes in search of them.
A community source said that the military men harassed villagers, including Chief Perebina-bin Ebiton and a married woman, Mrs. Akren Yodiowei, who was said to be innocent.
The source said: “As I speak to you, the whereabouts of four kids are not known.
“One of the victims was asked by the soldiers to roll and destroy the drums of diesel and he refused, which led to beating and maltreatment.
“There was pandemonium as residents were alarmed by the brutalisation, while some persons were asked to strip naked.”
Source: Vanguard