The Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has been destroyed after sixteen soldiers were killed there.
There are strong suspicions that some angry soldiers may have been responsible for the attack in retaliation for their fallen comrades.
The soldiers, under the leadership of Major General Jamal Abdussalam, are actively searching for the perpetrators and have made some arrests.
Residents of the coastal community have fled to neighboring Ughelli out of fear of potential reprisals from the patrolling soldiers in the creeks.
Allub Times reported that fourteen lifeless bodies of killed soldiers were discovered in the early hours of Saturday by soldiers of the joint task force overseen by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, in the Okuama community of Delta State’s Ughelli South LGA.
Some of the retrieved corpses were alleged to be decapitated, while others’ bellies and hearts were pulled out.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ordered an investigation into the unfortunate deaths of four senior officers and 12 troops.
The body of the commanding officer and two deceased majors were seen floating along the riverbank at the NDDC jetty in the coastal Delta village, while the others were separated on land.
It was reported that the military personnel who were killed had responded to a distress call during a communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State on Thursday, March 14.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Acting Director of Defence Information, said that the victims were surrounded by some community youths while troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion were on a peace mission in the Bomadi Local Government Area of the state.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” the statement read.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.”
The defense spokesman reported that the incident has been brought to the attention of the Delta State Government. He also mentioned that the Chief of Defence Staff has ordered the perpetrators to be identified.
Furthermore, he stated that some individuals have been arrested in relation to the incident.
He also emphasized the military’s dedication to upholding peace and security in different regions of the country.
“The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.
“However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”
