There is palpable fear in Warri, Delta State following the alleged killing of a man believed to be kinsman of former militant leader, Government Tompolo by a Naval officer.
The incident, which occurred in Tompolo’s hometown, Gbaramatu, is said to be have unsettled residents of the area. According to reports, the men of the Nigerian Navy were deployed to the area following renewed vandalization of oil installations and the victim, Bernard Pius, was allegedly killed at a jetty in Tebujor Okpelama community in Tompolo’s hometown.
According to Tebujor Okpelama, the community chairman, the incident had thrown the community into serious fear. He said: “The incident happened at about 10pm Thursday night. Pius was scooping sand and it is a normal commercial activity at such quiet time when fishermen also ply their trade.
The victim was alerted by folks that his sand boat on a 40 horsepower engine at the jetty was drifting. “He then rushed back and was pulling it back ashore with another boat. That was the point the suspect patrolled in with other colleagues in a gunboat. After shooting and killing him he moved into the community bragging about the act and threatening to shoot another person if he does not get gratification.
Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the Bebenowei (Chief Mobilizer) of Gbaramatu kingdom also decried the killing, and has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to proffer a lasting solution to the unrest in the region, reports premium times.
