Soldiers stationed in the Okuama community within the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State persist in demolishing homes following the recent attack that resulted in the loss of several military personnel during a rescue operation in the riverside settlement.
According to a local source, the military presence remains strong in Okuama, with ongoing demolitions of numerous residences reported.
Last week’s tragic incident saw the 222 battalions of the military Joint Task Force, JTF, Bomadi Division, led by Commander Maj. Jaffa was ambushed and killed during a rescue mission in Okuama.
Their objective was to free hostage Mr. Anthony Aboh, held due to a longstanding land dispute with the neighboring Okoloba community in Delta State’s Bomadi Local Government Area.
Tensions escalated when additional soldiers lost their lives the following day. The perpetrators of this cowardly attack fled during the military’s subsequent retaliation on Okuama, and now evade capture as the military conducts a widespread manhunt in surrounding communities.
Moreover, a prominent ex-militant leader and his faction, reportedly contracted by Okuama community to confront Okoloba, have been identified as prime suspects, currently on the run. Meanwhile, displaced community members, particularly women and children, seek refuge with relatives in neighboring areas of Ughelli South Local Government Area.
When contacted to speak on a possible humanitarian crisis in the council area, the Head of Personnel Management, HPM, Ughelli South Local Government, Mr Austin Emaduku, said: “First and foremost, I’m a civil servant and not an elected officer and I have my restrictions speaking to the press.
“Besides that, the state government has issued a statement on the crisis and the public should take that for now.”
