Following last Thursday’s killing of the Commanding Officer 181 battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col Ali, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Delta state, the military has commenced a counter operation.
The operation according to sources, is to fish out the suspects, youths who perpetrated the babaric act of not only killing the soldiers but beheading some of them as witnessed in viral videos of the bodies recovered.
Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabim Musa had directed the arrest of all those involved in the killing of the soldiers and investigation of the cause of the attack. The counter operations involve the Army, Navy and the Airforce.
Recall that the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau while confirming the killing of the military personnel on Saturday, disclosed that troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State while on peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.
“The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.
He added that, “So far, a few arrests have been made while steps are in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.
Sources told Vanguard that the Land Component Commander of operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdusalam, the GOC, 6 division and the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral John Okeke are coordinating the counter operations.
Meanwhile owing to reports of houses being burnt and residents of Okuoma community fleeing fleeing Bomadi to Ughelli community for fear of reprisals by troops, sources have told Vanguard that it is likely that criminal elements have cashed in on the situation with a possible intention to create diversion.
“This will however not stop us from achieving the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff to get all those who perpetrated this heinous crime against the state,” a source said.
There had been a long-standing communal clash between neighbouring Okuoma and Okoloba communities over Land matters.
SOURCE: VANGUARD.
