* Troops extend fight to Urhobo neighboring communities
… We will confront the Troops if they fail to stop genocide killing in our communities youths threaten
The lingering communal crisis between the the two communities of Delta State, Okuama and Okoloba communities degenerated at the weekend as the Army Commander, two Majors, one Captain, and twelve other soldiers were killed by state youths, and many unaccounted civilians were killed by Nigerian Army troops.
The Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who confirmed the killing of the military personnel deployed for a peacekeeping mission to two warring communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGA of Delta State, said that the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, has ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of all those involved.
He said, “The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
“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 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 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 are being taken to unravel the motive behind the attack”.
A resident of one of the warring communities who does not want her name in black and white blamed the Delta State government for playing kids’ gloves with a crisis between the two communities since January this year.
While urging the federal government of Nigeria to hold the Delta State government accountable for the unfortunate loss of lives of military officers and civilians, she noted that since the peace accord signed by the two communities, peace has not returned to both communities and nothing was done to arrest the situation.
“The unavoidable could have been managed if the Army deployed to the Okuama community could have sought the audience of the leadership of the Okuama community rather they entered the community and started shooting leaving many killed.
” The killings of Okuama indigen by Nigeria Army for no reason course was assumed that the Delta State government is sponsoring the Okoloba Community and Nigeria Army against the peace-loving people of Okuama hence the clash, she alleged”.
Our reporter gathered that worried by the offensive attack and killing of the Army, the troops of Nigeria Army from 181 Amphibious, Delta State took the war to the neighboring Urhobo communities in Ughelli South local government area of the state.
The irate youths from the warring community have vowed to confront the Nigerian troops fire for fire if they fail to stop henceforth the act of genocide killing in their communities alleging that the troops and Delta State government want to wipe out Okuama people in Delta State from existence.
“We are battle ready, our community has been razed down by Nigeria troops, scores of our people have been killed, Army is extending genocide killing to other Urhobo speaking communities in Ughelli south local government area of Delta State.
“We will take the battle to the doorsteps of those sponsoring them, Delta State government is aware of the genocide and he kept mute we are not bothered we will fight with our last drop of blood, no surrender no retreat, they vow”.
It would be recalled that the vice president general of the Okuama community, David Akata, has cried to the international communities to come to their aides while accusing the Nigeria Army of invasion of the community saying that the “unknown gunmen” who turned out to be Nigeria Army, shot sporadically at anyone in sight leaving three indigenes dead and several others injured.
He disclosed that his community recorded three casualties with many others injured and houses set ablaze as the armed men in military uniforms wreaked havoc allegedly in the Okuama community from a speedboat.
According to Akata, “The armed men suspected to be Nigeria Army on Friday, March 14, 2024, carried out the genocide on the citizens of the community by setting their buildings and properties ablaze with chanting of war songs.
It would be recalled that no fewer than fifteen Mobile Policemen deployed to the Agadama community bush in Ughelli north local government area of Delta State were killed by suspected herdsmen and their corpses stayed in the bush for over a week before the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and the Commandant of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) Delta State chapter, Mr. Monday Ohwesiri recovered the corpses from the bush.
