Soldiers suspected to be operatives of the Joint Task Force have invaded the home of the father of wanted ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, carting away what sources said were vital documents.
It was gathered that the incident happened between the hours of 5am and 8am at Kurutie.
The soldier later moved to other communities in search of the ex-militant and youths alleged to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers.
Kurutie, where Tompolo’s father lives, is also where the temporal site of the scrapped Federal Maritime University is located in Warri South West local government area of Delta State.
Community sources told our correspondent that the soldiers also stormed other Gbaramatu communities, including Benikrukru, Kokodiagbene, and Okerenkoko.
The spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, confirmed the development to our reporter on phone when contacted.
He alleged that briefcases containing monies and vital documents where carted away by the soldiers. He said soldiers were being currently stationed in all Gbaramatu communities and were harassing residents.
Mr. Eric Omare, spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), also confirmed the development.
A security source confirmed the stationing of military personnel in Tompolo father’s village saying they only acting on intelligence reports.
According to the source, what they are simply doing was ‘cordon and search operation’ aimed at unmasking militants and vandals in the communities.
A leader of Kokodiagbene community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, while lamenting the situation said, “Their continuous visits are posing serious threats to the communities. We are living in bondage. Gbaramatu kingdom is hosts to oil and gas facilities and not to avengers.
“It is annoying to observe that within every 5 to 10 kilometer radius, there are security houseboats and gunboats, yet illegal bunkering and vandalism are going on unabated. Who are they fooling?’