In the wake of the tragic killing of 16 soldiers and officers at Okuama Community in Delta State last week, Nigerian Army troops have launched an invasion of Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The operation reportedly resulted in the destruction of homes and the alleged loss of approximately 11 lives.
According to reports, soldiers arrived in five gunboats, targeting residences suspected to be harboring a militant leader believed to be involved in the attack on the military personnel who were on a rescue mission in Delta.
The 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta mourns the loss of an Army Commander, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers as a result of the Okuama incident, as previously reported by Daily Trust.
Following the heinous crime, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, issued a directive for an immediate investigation and the apprehension of those responsible.
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Subsequently, residents of Okuama community fled to neighboring Ughelli in anticipation of potential reprisals from the military. The fear of retaliation escalated after houses were set ablaze in Okuama over the weekend, prompting soldiers to proceed to neighboring Bayelsa.
Upon arrival, Army troops reportedly opened fire on residents gathered at the jetty before proceeding to burn down three suspected hideouts of the militant leader.
The community has confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies from the attack, with search efforts ongoing for any additional victims at the time of this report.
According to him, “The military invasion has affected the people gravely. Lives have been lost, properties have been destroyed. Even after the attack, I am sure that life in the community will never be the same.
“This weekend was scheduled for the burial of one my late uncles. We had paid for food, drinks, music, speedboat and canopies. And now because of this, the burial can no longer hold.
“In fact some of the people we paid money are saying that if the date changes, we would have to pay extra money. Is that not a huge loss on its own? So we would have to start looking for more money, that is if there will ever be peace in the community.
“I am appealing to the Federal and State Government to as a matter of urgency intervene in this matter. We do not have a hand in whatever transpired in Delta State. The international community should come to our aid.”
When contacted on phone, the spokesman for Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) headquarters, Major Adenegan Ojo, terminated the call after hearing it was a journalist who called.
He, however, refused to answer subsequent phone calls. #Army
Source: Daily Trust
