Three weeks after the tragic killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama, Ughelli South Local government area of Delta State, residents of the community remain banished from their homes.
General Christopher Musa who is the Chief of Defence Staff, says the community will stay desolate until the army is done with it’s operations there.
Two commanding officers were among the officers who met their untimely death on March 14, 2024, after they were rounded up and murdered in cold blood by suspected militants involved in oil bunkering.
The soldiers were reportedly on a peace mission to Okuama and Okoloba communities to settle a land dispute when they met their deaths. It was a development that shocked the nation due to the gruesome manner they were killed.
Okuama community was sacked by soldiers on reprisal attack amidst allegations by the locals that 50 of their kinfolks were killed by soldiers. The army denied any involvement.
Speaking Wednesday on Arise TV General Musa said there was a cordone and search operation in the area as investigations continue into the bloodbath.
“We are currently conducting a cordon and search in the community. Cordon and search operation means we are searching every nook and cranny within the community because they have a lot of illegal funds from crude oil theft. They have bought a lot of weapons.
“It is for us to thoroughly clean the community to ensure that no weapon, no explosive is left in the community. I can tell you at the end of the operation, residents of the community will always go back,” he said.
