Residents of the Okuama community, situated in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have come forward to share insights regarding the alleged reprisal following the tragic loss of 16 military personnel.
Initial reports detailed the unfortunate incident where troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, stationed in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, lost their lives while engaged in a peacekeeping mission.
The escalation unfolded when these troops responded to a distress call stemming from a communal conflict between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities within the South South State region.
Amidst speculation of a retaliatory military action post-incident, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, emphasized the armed forces’ adherence to discipline, rules of engagement, and respect for human rights.
Major-General Buba underscored the military’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, irrespective of emotional triggers, reassuring that such incidents would neither demoralize nor hinder gallant troops from fulfilling their constitutional obligations diligently.
Two residents of Okuama, speaking anonymously to reporters in Warri, alleged that the military had perpetrated mass killings.
They recounted that soldiers had arrived in their community ostensibly for a peacekeeping mission and were welcomed at the town hall.
However, tensions arose when the soldiers demanded to take the community chiefs away, leading to a violent confrontation when the residents refused to comply with this request.
On of the residents said: “On the 14th of March, we were at home when some military officials came to our community. We welcomed them and they said that they wanted to walk around the community. They walked around the community and said that they wanted to have a peace talk at the town hall.
“They went to the town hall. The military men were entertained and welcomed. They (the soldiers) asked for the community chairman and community leaders. They sat with them and had a talk. After that, they asked the chairman and some community leaders to follow them.
“We said that they had had the peace talk with the leaders already so they should leave, but the soldiers insisted they had to take them away. The people said no. From there, the army turned the whole story into violence. Right there, in the community town hall, the soldiers started shooting our people there. Killed many of the young people there. People started running; some were killed instantly. Nobody expected any shooting.
“The army went and came back with more reinforcement. About twenty more people were killed immediately.”
Another source said: “The army – they just changed all of a sudden and opened fire on us. Women and children died. We cannot find some of our children and our parents.
“They (the soldiers) killed over 20 of our fellow residents. Some of our buildings were razed. Many residents have fled and there are even dead bodies in the bush where we have been hiding. We want the government to come to our rescue.”
