Residents flee communities as gunmen kill military men in Rivers

<p>Residents of Emelego, Ogboloma, and Okolomade communities in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State have fled the area after gunmen killed two military men in the area.</p>, <p>Chief of the Adada community, Nicholas Gilbert, told journalists that the people fled for fear of harassment or invasion by security agencies.</p>, <p>According to him, the people are currently sleeping on their various farmlands.</p>, <p>He lamented that the rain had left them in an unsafe condition as they had no shelter.</p>, <p>He decried the lack of security presence and police station in the area for over 20 years, which he said has resulted in the continued kidnapping and killings in the area.</p>, <p>Gilbert called on the state government to help resolve the issue so they could return to their homes, pleading that they were all stranded in the bush.</p>, <p>“As I’m talking to you now, I’m right in the bush, and heavy rain is falling on me. Everybody is wet in the bush.</p>, <p>“What happened in Adada has been happening since 2008. We have been suffering at the hands of all these bad boys.</p>, <p>“That 2008, one Emmanuel Okiri was shot dead, and the government did not come to ask us how. 2009 again, something happened, I went to Abua to the police station and reported, but nobody came.</p>, <p>“Again, in 2013, it happened, I went to Abua police station and reported. 2018, December 24, five boys were shot by unknown men. I went to Abua and reported and asked for help, but nobody came.</p>, <p>“I was asked to bring some money because of transport. I told them I have no money, so I came back. Right now, we’re suffering the same thing.</p>, <p>“We’re hearing rumours of threats to come and burn the community. We’re hearing rumors of mass arrest.</p>, <p>“They have arrested some people in Ogoloma and elsewhere. We are running helter-skelter inside the bush.</p>, <p>“I reported to the Highness of the kingdom. He told me by tomorrow, they’re going to have a meeting.</p>, <p>“We are begging the state government to come and