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By Emmanuel Sunday
After two days of siege by men of the Nigeria Army in Rundele Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, over alleged shooting of two soldiers by leader of a disbanded local security, Rundele Security Peace and Advisory Committee (RUSPAC), normalcy has now returned to the area.
Soldiers allegedly held the community hostage since Saturday evening demanding the release of two Army uniforms and AK-47 riffles seized from the soldiers by the RUSPAC commander.
The soldiers, who we learnt were deployed to guard crude oil pipelines in the area, were shot after an altercation over illegal oil bunkering with the RUSPAC commander, Mr. Oguchika Ajuru, in the community bush.
A community source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that though the soldiers did not die, the incident created panic in the community leading to most villagers fleeing their homes for safety.
Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd who confirmed the development to newsmen on Monday, said the military uniforms and guns which were seized from the soldiers had been recovered and handed over to the Army.
Reacting to the incident, the paramount ruler and Nne-Nwe Eli Rundele/Eze Rundele N’ogbo II, His Royal Highness, Eze Damian Ejiowhor, said henceforth, illegal oil bunkering activities will not be tolerated in the area.
The monarch however called on indigenes who had fled the community to return home.
