WARRI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Fighting between the Nigerian military and armed gangs in the creeks of the oil-producing Niger Delta has killed several civilians and displaced dozens more, residents said on Friday.
A military taskforce (JTF) comprising the army, navy and air force began raiding three camps believed to belong to a notorious gang leader in Delta state on Thursday, close to the Ayakoromo and Okrika communities.
Witnesses said fighters loyal to gang leader John Togo hid in buildings in Ayakoromo to escape the raids before engaging in a gun battle with the security forces. Some civilians were wounded as they fled in dug-out canoes and several were killed.
"The community reports nine (dead). They have buried seven and they have two in the morgue," Niabiye Kuromiema, president of the Ijaw Youth Council civil rights group, told Reuters after touring Ayakoromo and interviewing villagers.
"In terms of the damage to property, we counted a little bit over 30 houses were affected by the raid," he said.
Kuromiema said it did not appear that the military had deliberately targeted civilians but said he was studying video footage of the fighting to make a fuller assessment.
The military denied reports that more than 100 people died.
JTF spokesman Timothy Antigha said: "Only identified camps were targeted. However, the adjoining buildings became part of the JTF targets when fleeing criminals took over the buildings, made them defensive positions and fired at JTF troops."
A military taskforce (JTF) comprising the army, navy and air force began raiding three camps believed to belong to a notorious gang leader in Delta state on Thursday, close to the Ayakoromo and Okrika communities.
Witnesses said fighters loyal to gang leader John Togo hid in buildings in Ayakoromo to escape the raids before engaging in a gun battle with the security forces. Some civilians were wounded as they fled in dug-out canoes and several were killed.
"The community reports nine (dead). They have buried seven and they have two in the morgue," Niabiye Kuromiema, president of the Ijaw Youth Council civil rights group, told Reuters after touring Ayakoromo and interviewing villagers.
"In terms of the damage to property, we counted a little bit over 30 houses were affected by the raid," he said.
Kuromiema said it did not appear that the military had deliberately targeted civilians but said he was studying video footage of the fighting to make a fuller assessment.
The military denied reports that more than 100 people died.
JTF spokesman Timothy Antigha said: "Only identified camps were targeted. However, the adjoining buildings became part of the JTF targets when fleeing criminals took over the buildings, made them defensive positions and fired at JTF troops."
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