The Nigeria army has ended its operations in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local government area of Delta State.
Following the gruesome murder of 17 soldiers in the vicinity of Okuama in March 2024 , the army had laid siege to the community and the villagers expelled from their homes.
Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, confirmed development saying the withdrawal came into effect after his phone conversation with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Monday, May 6.
Meanwhile members of the community are pressing on with the suit they filed against the army challenging their illegal occupation of the community and also claiming damages for the destruction of their homeland by revenge seeking soldiers who allegedly invaded the community.
The case came up for hearing at the Federal High Court sitting in Warri last week but the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, and other respondents were absent. The matter has been adjourned to June 4, 2024 by Justice I. Sani.
“While we pay reverence to the 17 officers, who were killed by some individuals yet to be identified, we do think that the action of the military in invading the Okuama community on a vengeance mission is unconstitutional, a breach of the fundamental rights of the indigenes and residents of the community,” said Prof. Joseph Abugu, SAN, counsel to the Okuama community.
“Since the court is the last hope of the common man, the Okuama community has no army of its own and it is powerless before the Nigerian Army.
“But before the court, we expect to get justice, so we are here. Today, we have verified that the Nigerian Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation and all the relevant parties have been served.
“We have taken a date to hear our application for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the people of Okuama community. “
