16 Military Personnel Die In Delta Communal Clash – DHQs Confirmed
The deaths of 16 military personnel were verified by the Defence headquarters on Thursday as they were attending to a distress call amidst a communal conflict between Okuoma and Okoloba
communities in Delta State.
The acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, disclosed in a statement yesterday that the deceased soldiers belonged to the 181 Amphibious Battalion stationed at
Bomadi Local Government Area.
Among those killed were the Commanding Officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.
“The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community, were surrounded by some community youths and
killed on Thursday, 14th March 2024.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma 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,” Gusau stated.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has instructed an immediate investigation and the arrest of individuals implicated in this “heinous crime,” according to his
statement.
Several arrests have already been made, and efforts are underway to determine the motive behind the attack.
Gusau also mentioned that the incident has been reported to the Delta State government.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the military is resolute and dedicated to fulfilling its duty of upholding peace and security within the nation.
Residents of Okuama have reportedly been fleeing their community due to fears of military retaliation following the killing of military personnel. An anonymous source expressed their concerns,
stating, “I cannot risk staying here and being killed by the military. I am leaving.”
The Okwuama community in Ewu Kingdom has been devastated by attacks, resulting in casualties and a sense of impending danger.
According to sources who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday, the number of military personnel killed in the incident was reported to be 22, with two civilians also losing their lives.
“Trouble started in the early hours of Thursday, March 14, 2024, when two speedboats belonging to Okuama indigenes were attacked by the hoodlums with sophisticated weapons. The boys
escaped for their lives.
“Not satisfied, the gunmen besieged and laid ambush on the community later in the afternoon before opening fire on members of the community.
“Two indigenes of the Okuama community died in the process. Four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical treatment.
“Miffed by the ugly development, Okuama repelled the suspected Okoloba indigenes in military camouflage, leaving an unspecified number dead on the spot,” a source said.
Another source said: “We understand that there were issues between the community indigenes and the military, but destroying the entire community is not the way to go.”
The military team’s source reported that the Bomadi Division of the Joint Task Force had undertaken a rescue operation in Okuama to liberate Anthony Aboh, a resident of Okoloba who had been
abducted due to an ongoing land dispute between the two communities.
The source further stated that the soldiers and their commander were unexpectedly attacked while returning to the waterfront following an unsuccessful negotiation at the Okuama community
hall regarding the kidnapped individual.
“We were coming back to our boats after the unfruitful discussion to release the kidnapped victim of the Okoloba community. Suddenly, there were rains of bullets coming from all directions
and some of us managed to escape.
“Many people were killed during the ambush, including a former honourable member from the Okoloba community who reported the matter to the JTF. But the commander and other officers
were held hostage and taken to an unknown destination towards the creek opposite the community”, the source said.
According to reports, 22 military personnel were discovered deceased in the Okuama community, including a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain, and eighteen soldiers.
A reliable source from the Okoloba community also mentioned that the body of Mr Aboh was found floating in River Forcados near Ayakoromo.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Ifeanyi Osuoza, addressed concerns last Thursday regarding potential aggression from suspected Okoloba residents mobilizing from the Warri
area with gunboats towards Okuma.
He assured the public that the state government is taking necessary measures to ensure peace is restored.
