A tragic incident in Delta State, Nigeria, has led to the burning of a large part of the Okuoma community following the killing of 16 soldiers. Strong allegations suggest that angry soldiers retaliated by attacking the community, prompting a widespread manhunt led by Major General Jamal Abdussalam and soldiers from the 6th Division Nigerian Army.
The soldiers are conducting an extensive search to capture the perpetrators of the gruesome murders, with several arrests already made in connection with the incident. Fearful of further retaliatory attacks, residents have fled to Ughelli for safety while soldiers continue to patrol the creeks.
The aftermath of the attack revealed fourteen lifeless bodies of the slain soldiers, including four senior officers and twelve soldiers, scattered along the NDDC jetty and river banks. Some victims were found beheaded, while others had their stomachs and hearts ripped out, indicating the extent of the brutality.
The soldiers had responded to a distress call stemming from a communal crisis between Okuoma and Okoloba communities in Delta State. In response to the incident, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, issued a statement announcing that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Musa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The statement also mentioned that the incident had been reported to the Delta State government.
The tragic killing of soldiers and the subsequent violence underscore the fragile security situation in the region and highlight the urgent need for peacebuilding efforts and conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent further loss of life and destruction of property.
