The people of Oporoza community, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West local government area of Delta State have staged a protest to demand the release of some youths in the area who were allegedly taken away by the Nigerian Army several weeks ago.

They said the military invaded their community under the guise of searching for members of the Niger Delta Avengers, destroying and carting away valuables as well as capturing some youths.

They also claimed that their captured loved ones were neither directly nor indirectly connected to the Niger Delta Avengers, and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order the military to release the youths.

A source at the Nigerian Army 3rd Battalion in Warri, Delta State, has confirmed that the youths were indeed arrested but were being interrogated for various offences.

He said their friends and families need not entertain any fears as they have not been killed as alleged but were merely going through routine investigation.

The Gbaramatu community has been in the limelight in recent times following speculations and allegations that one of its indigenes, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is connected to the Niger Delta Avengers.