Chief Ayebaitari Easterdsy, a community leader at Igbomotoru, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) on Tuesday urged the military to protect innocent residents as they search for the masterminds of the March 14 attack that killed 16 military men in Okuama, Delta.

Easterday spoke in an interview session with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa against the backdrop of ongoing military crackdown on suspected hideouts of the suspects who perpetrated the crime in Delta and allegedly fled to Bayelsa.

The community leader, a former Councillor that represented Igbomotoru Community in the Southern Ijaw LGA Legislative Assembly called on security agents to always carryout indepth investigations before carrying actions that could affect innocent lives.

He noted that at least 40 persons from the community have so far been killed by soldiers in search of a militant who allegedly spearheaded the killing of 16 soldiers in Okuama in Delta.

The 16 soldiers whó were ambushed and killed by suspected militants had gone on a peace keeling at Okuama.

The aggrieved soldiers, he said, opened fire on arrival razing down houses, and destroying properties worth several millions of naira.

Easterday explained that Igbomatoru, a coastline community along the bank of the River Nun has been counting losses following the crackdown by the military which had blocked transport boats from betting, crippling economic activities wnd forcing youths into exil in neighbouring communities.

Also a former member of the House of Representatives,Mr.Henry Daniel-Ofongo and member representing Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw LGS Caretaker Committee, Mr.Solomon Suobo called on the military to work by the rules of engagements guiding their operations and conduct themselves in a manner that will not cause untold hardship on innocent people to suffer for evil acts they did not commit.