SOLDIERS deployed to Okuama in Ughelli South Local Council of Delta State, when fours Army officers- the Commanding officer, two majors and one Captain- and 12 other soldiers on rescue and peace mission were killed on Thursday, march 14, have reportedly continued to burn down houses in the community.
A community source said the troops were occupying Okuama and several houses had either been razed or demolished.
The military, on Sunday, March 17, deployed armoured vehicles to Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi Local Council, over the killings of military personnel in Okuama.
Military personnel and about three armoured vehicles were seen zooming across the Bomadi Bridge late on Sunday, ostensibly heading to the creeks, even as President Bola Tinubu ordered the military high command to fish out the killers.
Meanwhile, the senator representing the affected area, Delta South, in the National Assembly, Ede Dafinone, has called on interested parties in Okuama community to sheathe their sword for the sake of humanity.
Soldiers from the 222 Battalion of the military Joint Task Force (JTF), Bomadi Division, led by the Commander, were ambushed and killed while on a rescue mission to Okuama to free a hostage, Anthony Aboh, from neighbouring Okoloba community in Bomadi kidnapped over in age-long land dispute. The situation worsened when more soldiers were killed the following day.
The killers, who reportedly fled the community during the reinforcement and the consequent reprisal attack on Okuama by the military, remain at large, with the military intensifying efforts to hunt them down in neighbouring communities and even beyond.
Meanwhile, an ex-militant leader and his group members, who were allegedly hired by Okuama community to fight their neighbouring Okoloba community have been fingered for the killings and declared as prime suspects and said to be on the run.
Residents and indigenes of Okuama, especially children and women, who had fled the troubled community were said to be living with relatives in neighbouring communities in Ughelli South.
The military is reported to have commenced a counter-operation to fish out suspects in the killing and beheading of some of the soldiers as could be seen in viral videos of the recovered bodies.
