Less than 48 hours after soldiers were withdrawn from Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, bloodbath has returned as one person is feared dead and three others fatally injured.
According to report, the fresh violence ensued as indigenes of the levelled Okuama were attempting to return to their ruined ancestral homes.
A former chairman of Akugbene, who pleaded anonymity, explained to journalists on phone what has transpired in the last 48 hours.
In his words, “We were surprised to see the soldiers pulled out on Tuesday and some indigenes of Okuama immediately went back to the community.
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“We believed some soldiers, who are of Urhobo decent at Okuama, must have passed prior information to them of their plan pull out.
“We have some respite now as we were like in a cage, not moving out to neighbouring communities at the Okuama direction where we go and buy most of our foodstuffs and household materials, particularly at the Okuagbe market.
“But, as I’m talking to you, there is a problem; three indigenes of our community have already been ambushed and attacked with machetes by Okuama returnees.
“They were on their way to Ezebiri community along the footpath linking various communities on hearing that the road is free.
“One of them, who escaped back to our community with machete cuts, narrated that they were attacked by the Okuama returnees at gunpoint while on their way to Ezebiri.
“They attacked them with machetes when he managed to escape, while others were led towards the jetty at the community waterfront.
“The victim is in a critical condition with us right here at the primary healthcare centre,” he lamented.
Another source confirmed the attack to journalists. According to the source, ““As I’m talking to you, one of the two persons who escaped back from the Okuama assault is already dead”, he said.
However, the chairman of Okoloba community, Mr Clement Koki, in his reaction, said that his community would continue to maintain the peace and pray to God for protection.