It was gathered that the fully armed military personnel stormed the community to harass, assault and arrest residents.
Bille community in Rivers State has written to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor to withdraw soldiers of the Nigerian Army from the community and stop them from harassing residents.
The letter dated Tuesday, September 6, 2022 was signed by the Chairman, Bille Community Welfare Association, Abuja, Elder Boma V. Benebo.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that there was tension in Bille in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the invasion of the area by soldiers on Tuesday morning.
It was gathered that the fully armed military personnel stormed the community to harass, assault and arrest residents.
Videos obtained by SaharaReporters show soldiers trying to forcibly access homes in the community. They also show as some residents were arrested by military personnel.
Chief Bennett and Elder Boma described the invasion of the community by the soldiers as inappropriate, saying it was "wrong for the military to invade the entire community of Bille with the perception that Bille people are responsible for the death of the military personnel on the sea."
The letter reads, “Today, Tuesday 6th September 2022 at about 7am after a night of sporadic gunfire from Army Gunboats, Bille Town in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State came under siege by Army gunboats with Army in the Community shooting and arresting young men who they took into their gunboats. The Amayanabo of Bille Kingdom HRH I.N.C. Herbert-Agbaniye-like 18" was also arrested and taken away by the army. The reason for the sudden attack/invasion of the Community is yet unknown as the leadership was not informed of any breach.
"Bille Town is the seat of the 29th Battalion Tactical Command of the Nigerian army, with a Major in Command. Until this incident, there is good communication between the leadership and the Army Command.
"On Friday 2nd September, 2022 a passenger boat from Bille to Port Harcourt was attacked by sea pirates and a Bille Passenger Mr. Pepekale Igani was killed. While we were yet to unravel the mystery behind his killing, the military invaded a satellite Community of Bille kingdom- Touma on Sunday, 4th September, 2022.
"Today we are devastated by the sudden invasion of the Community. It is on record that Bille Community has been terrorised by sea pirates overtime. We have continued to call on the authorities to come to our rescue.
"While we once again call on the Nigerian nation to come to the rescue of this endangered Community, we count on your office to bring the situation under control and engage with the leadership of the Community who have been ever willing to work with the security forces.”
Similarly, an appeal by the Chairman of Bille Kingdom Chiefs Council, Chief Bennett Okpoki lamented the assault of residents of the community by soldiers.
It said, "Bille town in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State is under seizure by the Nigerian military. Since 7.00 am there have been serious gunshots by the military.
“The palace of the Amayanabo of Bille has been taken over and the king and his personal aide forced away by the military. Nobody knows where they have taken them to.
"Just on Friday 2nd of September, sea pirates attacked Bille passenger boat, killing a Bille son, Mr Impa Igani and several others sustained bullet injuries. The matter was reported to the 29 Battalion Tactical Headquarters in Bille.
"Rumors also have it that some military personnel on the sea around the Bille territory were also attacked and some of the military died in the process. We strongly suspect that the same sea pirates may have attacked the military.
"Then on Sunday, 4th September some military personnel invaded one of our villages Touma community in the name of investing the evil perpetrators. And now the same military have invaded Bille Town and have taken our king away. Our worry is that for the past 3 years Bille have suffered untold hardship on account of sea pirates attack and little or nothing has been done by our government.
"We the Bille are peaceful and law-abiding people. It is therefore wrong for the military to invade the entire community of Bille with the perception that Bille people are responsible for death of the military personnel on the sea. We pray that if there was an arrest of such suspected individuals the law should take its course rather than putting the entirety or innocent people of Bille into pandemonium.
"We mostly humbly pray the Chief of Defence Staff to give an order withdrawing his men and give room for proper investigation of the said crime.”