SEGUN JAMES, Warri

JTF alleged that the cultists "known as Isena Asawo led by Mr Clever Osei Farekuma" had constituted themselves into armed escorts to illegal oil bunkerers and pipeline vandals in the area.

Scores of people were said to have been killed and several buildings in Odioma destroyed during the invasion, which has risen to the centre stage of national controversy.

Apparently buffeted by criticisms of the action, which was also debated in the Senate last week, JTF in a statement signed by its public relations officer (PRO), Major Said Hammed, said Ferekuma should be blamed for the task force’s action.

Although the JTF was silent on the casualty figure after the invasion, it said that the three communities of Odioma, Ibedi and Obiaku had maintained a strained relationship over an oil rich, disputed parcel of land which subsequently, served as hide out for the dreaded cultists.

Hammed, who signed the statement on behalf of JTF commander, Brig. Gen. Elias Zamani, disclosed that soldiers were drafted to the area following reports that the cultists were serving as armed escorts to the bunkers and pipeline vandals.

But the situation got to a head, the spokesman said when the cultists who "have maintained a track record of criminal activities" killed 11 persons including four councillors of a local government in the area on February 3 this year.

He said that consequently soldiers were deployed to the three communities.

According to Maj. Hammed, while Ibedi and Obiaku cooperated with the soldiers and were spared in the ensuing invasion, the youths of Odioma allegedly ambushed the JTF in the mangroves and in the ensuing battle, they (youths) were subdued and the soldiers "gained access into the community."

Hammed stressed that it was in the cause of gun battle that some houses in which dynamites and petroleum products were stored went up in flames leading to the razing of buildings in the community.

The JTF spokesman revealed that following the vanguishing of Odioma, the soldiers recovered two boats mounted with General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) tripods belonging to the leader of the youth gang, smoke grenade, four long chain explosions, two cartons of dynamites, seven thunder flash and binoculars.

Other items recovered were 103 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, three rounds each of .38 mm, .58 mm and 7.62 mm (NATO), two cartridges, four AK rifle magazines and one single barrel gun.

The task force also said that the deployment of troops to the area was meant to guarantee the safety of lives and property of people in the place.

The JTF urged all law abiding person living in the area to return to the affected communities assuring that they have no cause to fear.