Authorities of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) known as Operation Restore Hope yesterday met with officials of the Bayelsa State owned Security Outfit known as Famou Tamgbe over the recent allegations near clashes with the Police as well as the killing of a youth at the swali community by the Air Force wing of the task Force in the state.
The meeting of the Commanders of the Joint Military Task Force and the State Police Command, according to source, was convened due to the rising media reports on the alleged misconduct of the military officials in some parts of the state. The source however, said that though issues of past misdeeds were discussed, the Police were tasked to enforce the relevant laws.
In a statement issued yesterday by the headquarters of its Mobility Command, the Nigerian Air force denied the involvement of its men in the killing of a baker in the Swali suburb of Yenagoa, the State capital during a distress call over an armed robbery attack.
The Air Force command said though investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstance that led to the death of the late baker by the relevant authorities, its men on duty were not involved in thwarting the attack as they maintained vigilance at their duty post to safeguard lives and property within the unit’s area of responsibility.
In its statement signed on behalf of the 235 Base Services Group (NAF), Squadron Leader B.I. Okon, said it was compelled to react to what it described as misleading report that its personnel killed the late baker; ‘‘the story was not only misleading but capable of raising undue sentiments within the Swali community”, he said.
Reliving the tragic incident, the NAF said: “On August 13, 2011, guards on duty at the 235 BSG heard sporadic gunshots around the Swali market area. This was followed by a distress call from one Mr. John Izuegbunam residing at 3, John Igbi Street that armed robbers were attacking his residence located close to the Unit Headquarters. The Commander of Operation Famou Tangbe was immediately alerted while the Nigerian Air force personnel on duty remained vigilant to safeguard lives and property within the Unit’s Area of Responsibility.
“In the course of carrying out routine checks after hearing the gunshots, members of the Nigerian Police Force who also responded to the distress call were sighted in front of the Bakery gate few metres away from the Unit Headquarters. On arrival at the gate, the Nigerian Air force personnel met the police who pointed to someone lying down on the ground with a gunshot wound on the head. He was later identified as a staff of the bakery.”