No fewer than 10 persons have been reportedly killed and many houses burnt as soldiers from 14 Brigade Nigeria Army, invaded Amangwu community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
Scores of locals were also reportedly arrested and yet to be sighted following the military raid.
The community has been reportedly deserted as locals fled to different locations abandoning their homes just to stay out of trouble.
It was gathered that the invasion was in the aftermath of an alleged abduction of a yet-to-be identified soldier said to be "on pass in the area".
The soldier "on pass", according to reports, was said to be on leave, and visited his village, in a nearby Ikwun in Cross Rivers State but got missing at the border between Amuma Ohafia and Amangwu.
Reports said that troops from the 14 Brigade were deployed for a rescue operation on the missing soldier.
When contacted, a military source which pleaded not to be quoted, confirmed that there was a military operation at the community in search of the missing soldier, and against criminal elements who had allegedly taken over the area.
The source denied killing of locals and destruction of houses, explaining that only shrines used by the criminals that were being destroyed.
"There is an ongoing operation in search of the missing soldier in Amangwu general area.
"Only shrines belonging to the criminals in enclaves were affected.
" The Nigerian Army is a professional Army that respects law abiding citizens and to fish out those with criminal intent disrupting the peace loving people of Ohafia and environs.
"We must fish out the criminals in our immediate society for peace to reign."
On the justification for the alleged invasion the source said:"But the criminalities being executed in the criminals enclaves are irrelevant?
"Human skulls in different shrines?
Mini Barracks in the bushes by these criminals?
"Missing innocent souls is (sic) of no concern?The Nigerian Army must fish out souls (sic) criminals in our society".
Source: Vanguard
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