By Isioma Odogwu
Following the gruesome murder of the 16 military personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, in an ambush at Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, residents of the community have fled their homes in what they described as a reprisal attack on the community by men of the armed forces which had led to over 50 deaths in addition to loss of property.
Resultantly, many of the residents of the Okuama community have fled their residence into the bush in hiding for fear of their lives since March 14, when the incidence took place.
Recall that the slain military personnel had reportedly arrived in two gunboats purportedly for peace talks with the community chairman, and leaders on Thursday, March 14.
According to reports, they were warmly received and offered kola nut, with prayers for a peaceful dialogue.
It was learned that tension escalated after the military personnel insisted on whisking away the community chairman and some leaders for further questioning after the peace talks, which the people resisted.
The refusal, it was gathered, allegedly angered the military men who opened fire right at the town hall, where they held a meeting with the people, resulting in casualties within the community.
It wasn’t clear what transpired after the military men left, but according to reports, the men were killed on their way back allegedly by the errant youths of the community.
On March 15, the following day, the community were shell shocked when the military returned setting ablaze houses in the community and forcing them to flee from their homes.
The Okuama are pleading with the Federal Government to intervene in the situation and stop the killings of residents by the military.
But the army in response have described the outcry and narratives by the community as sheer propaganda, adding that the action meted out to the military who were on a peace keeping mission by the community was callous and condemnable.
In a report on Monday to the alleged killing of 50 by soldiers at Okuama, Army headquarters decried what it described as resort to propaganda by Okuama community, saying such propaganda is callous and condemnable.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, who denied the allegation, said: “The unfortunate killing of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, while on a peaceful and mediatory mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State respectively, is not only despicable but should also be unreservedly condemned by all.
“These were troops committed to peace and security of lives and property of citizens and non-citizens alike in the Niger Delta, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama community in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner and went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains by ripping out their hearts by the very people they were there to protect.
“Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
“This again is a clear indication that murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.
“The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to cover up, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety.
“It is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies.
“There is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative, they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.
“While law-abiding citizens are assured that there will be no reprisal on the part of the troops, we enjoin all to go about their normal activities, even as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds.
“The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, while commiserating with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives, has directed that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of this gruesome acts are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“Troops are determined to get these criminals, there is certainly no hiding place for them.”