Nigeria Content Online

Residents of Ayakoromo Community, Burutu Local Government Area
of Delta State have accused the military Joint Task Force (JTF) of war crimes
and looting of N500 Million from the war-ravaged community during the recent
operation of the military in the area.

In a press conference held yesterday in Warri, Delta State, the
community leaders led by the Chairman, Ayakoromo Rehabilitation Council,
Anthony Bamuza, said they would press for compensation from the Federal
Government at the appropriate time.

Mr Bamuza, who was surrounded by hundreds of displaced persons
from the community, said what was done to the people of Ayakoromo by the JTF
amounted to war crimes.

He also held that in the execution of the war, the JTF deployed
heavy artillery at the Ayakoromo people while its soldiers also cordoned off
the town and shot many to death in the search of wanted John Togo.

“JTF, in its armed attack, killed innumerable persons –
including children, women, handicaps, aged and clergy. Not satisfied with such
barbaric atrocities, JTF raped their wives, women and children in their
presence, ransacked houses, looted their monies, coral-beads, clothing apparels,

artifacts, and other valuable properties and thereafter set
their houses on blaze after securely locking their people inside their houses,”
he said. “The arson committed by JTF span through the entire Ayakoromo
Federated Communities; while the summation of monetary looting is over N500m,
which is inclusive of communal funds.”

Care for civilians

The community leader also called on the Federal Government to
end the occupation of Ayakoromo Community by the JTF.

“We wish to declare that our people in various refugee camps are
greatly suffering, malnourished and without water, toilet and sanitation,
adequate clothing, shelter and medicals,” he said. “These inadequacies have
caused out-break of epidemic and also greatly jeopardised the health of our
people; with few death reported. We therefore call for aid from the
International Community. We shall give copies of our letter to all and sundry
to enable Nigerians and the entire world ascertain the truth on this matter and
collectively rise against an institution which ought to be the defender of our
lives and territories, but regretfully and frequently undertakes its statutory
responsibilities perversely.” President Goodluck Jonathan recently called on
the JTF to ensure that civilians are protected in Ayakoromor community despite
their operations against criminal gangs in the area.

He also expressed his sympathy to the families of all those who
are currently displaced as a result of the JTF operation.

There has been widespread criticism of the JTF’s raid of camps
suspected to be harbouring John Togo, a runaway militant leader in the region,
which has led to some deaths and displacement of hundreds. Mr Togo, who has
given mixed messages about his intention to lay down his arms, was responsible
for recent attacks on oil installations in the delta.