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8 months ago
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In the wake of the recent attack that claimed the lives of 16 soldiers and officers in Okuama Community, Delta State, Nigerian Army troops have reportedly launched a retaliatory invasion on Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The soldiers, arriving in five gunboats, allegedly set fire to houses suspected to be the hideout of a militant leader believed to be involved in the earlier attack on the military personnel in Delta.
The tragic incident in Okuama resulted in the loss of an Army Commander, two majors, a captain, and 12 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State. Following the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, an immediate investigation was ordered to apprehend the perpetrators.
Residents of Okuama community had already fled to neighboring Ughelli in anticipation of potential reprisals by the military. Subsequently, houses were set ablaze in Okuama before the troops proceeded to invade the neighboring Bayelsa community.
Reports from the area indicate that upon arrival, the soldiers opened fire on residents at the jetty before burning down three buildings suspected to be the hideout of the militant leader. The attack resulted in the loss of at least 11 lives, with efforts ongoing to locate other potential casualties.
The devastating military operation has left the community reeling, with significant loss of lives and property. Families are grappling with the abrupt disruption of planned events such as burials, facing additional financial burdens as a result.
Amidst this turmoil, appeals have been made to the Federal and State Governments, as well as the international community, to intervene urgently and restore peace to the affected communities.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) headquarters were met with resistance, as the spokesperson, Major Adenegan Ojo, declined to respond to inquiries from journalists.
