Three communities in Abua/Odual Local Council of Rivers State: Owerewere, Aminigboko, and Egunghan have commiserated with the Nigerian Army over the loss of four officers, following an exchange of gunfire with kidnappers who stormed the community and abducted two expatriates.
The communities expressed concern that fearing a reprisal, residents of the area, since the December 12, 2023 incident have deserted their homes and are now sleeping in bushes without water, food and medication.
Paramount rulers of the communities, Idowa Agbala, Eric Dede, and Umor Akio, in a jointly signed statement, yesterday, commiserated with the bereaved families and the Army, while appealing to authorities to rescind any decision that may further scare innocent villagers.
The statement reads: “We affirm our unflinching support and cooperation with security agencies in their efforts to fish out the culprits behind this dastardly act, and pray for speedy release of the kidnapped expatriates. We sincerely believe that efforts to fish out these criminals will yield early results. We also use this medium to plead with the military and all security agencies to kindly allow innocent villagers to return to their homes.”
