By Emma Amaize, Samuel  Oyadongha & Emem Idio

YENAGOA—GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has condemned Monday’s killing of three soldiers of Operation Delta Safe by armed bandits in Nembe Local Government Area of the state, describing the incident as “senseless, barbaric and not in the best interest of the government and people of the state, especially the peace loving people of Nembe council.”

Dickson, who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd), further described the incident as painful and unfortunate, pointing out that a similar one occurred in July, last year, when soldiers were attacked at the same security check-point resulting in deaths.

He noted that he took it upon himself to visit the scene of the incident to console and engage the military authorities, with a view to dousing tension in the community, occasioned by the sad incident and urged members of the community, who had fled to return home.

He also called on youths and other stakeholders to collaborate with the military authorities in order to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

Also speaking, the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral J.  Okojie, assured the people of Nembe that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be made to account for their mindless actions, adding that his men were already on their trail and urged members of the community to volunteer useful information to the military authorities, assuring that innocent citizens would not be molested.

Meanwhile, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last Bayelsa State governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva, also condemned Monday’s killing of three soldiers in Nembe by suspected militants. Sylva, in a statement by his media adviser, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said those behind the act were enemies of the people.

He advised residents of Nembe and its environs to be vigilant and work closely with security agencies to isolate and frustrate the efforts of persons who want to make the area an oasis of evil and backwardness.

He said: “The killing of the soldiers is a grievous crime that cannot be excused on any ground. It is a legal and cultural abomination, which goes against everything the people of Nembe and neighbouring communities believe in. Those who committed this sacrilege are only out to set up our communities for destruction. They should be fished out and made to face the law.”

Also, Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Delta State, has called on the people of Nembe to assist the military with information to identify the sea bandits who killed three soldiers in the community and carted away a gunboat and rifles belonging to the soldiers on Monday.

National president of the group, Austin Ozobo, in a statement, condemning the killing, said it was unacceptable and provocative, adding: “We are calling on the people of Nembe to assist the military and other security agencies with useful information to apprehend the gangsters.

“We want those criminals to be fished out without hesitation; they should be made to face the music. The soldiers were performing a national assignment when the criminals invaded and killed them.”