… As CDS gives marching order for arrest of perpetrators
No fewer than 16 Nigerian soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors and one Captain have been killed in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, after they were deployed to quell brewing conflicts over ancestral land dispute.
A statement on Saturday by Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, confirmed that “the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in BOMADI Local Government Area of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed”. It added that, “The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers”.
The figures, are however rising with reports that more bodies are being discovered along the Forcados River, after the unfortunate incident which occurred on Thursday when the soldiers responded to a distress call on communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities.
Local sources told journalists that suspected youths of Okuama Community abducted and gruesomely murdered the soldiers, and that their dismembered bodies were seen floating around the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Jetty on Friday, including that of the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion Oleh and that of the Bomadi JTF Commander.
The source who is a critical stakeholder in Bomadi Local Government Area, and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the determination of the Joint Task Force in Bomadi to intervene in securing the release of kidnapped persons from Okoloba Community by Okuama youths led them to their death.
He said after the first discussion for release of abductees was deadlocked, the soldiers decided to head back to their base in Bomadi, but were ambushed by Okuama youths who “rained bullets on them from all corners”.
“Immediately the JTF got wind of the first attack on its troops, the GOC commanding the Bomadi JTF who is a Lieutenant Colonel, personally came with other top ranked officers, including Majors, Captains and soldiers for reinforcement. They came on gun boats. Sadly, they also met their Waterloo, as Okuama youths descended on them with reckless abandon”.
Recalling the build up to the crisis, the source noted that there was a first abduction and subsequent killing of an Okoloba youth by Okuama youths. “We reported the matter to the Police, JTF, the Local Government, and everybody. At the end of the day, the corpse was found floating at the Forcados River”. “Before we knew it, the next day, they kidnapped another of our citizen. This happened just a week ago,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa on has ordered an immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the killing of the Military Personnel in Bomadi, even as the entire community was set ablaze on Sunday as residents fled.
