By Ishaya Ibrahim
Fresh facts have emerged on the killing of 16 soldiers by suspected youths of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
TheNiche has now reliably gathered that the soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 12 others, were on a mission to rescue a Senator’s younger brother reportedly abducted by Okuama youths.
The abduction of the politician’s brother simply identified as Tony, caused the restiveness between Okuama and Okoloba youths. “The soldiers were in the community to restore normalcy and effect the rescue of the abducted civilian,” a senior military source told our reporter.
The source said the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel AH Ali, led his troops for the mission where he held a meeting with critical stakeholders in the conflict. As the soldiers were making their way to the boat that would ferry them to their base, armed militants surrounded them and opened fire. “All the troops were killed in the attack that appears to have been a set up,” the source said, adding that the abducted civilian was also killed.
The tragic event occurred on Thursday, March 14. But the lifeless bodies of the soldiers were recovered by men of the joint task force on Saturday, March 16.
Some of the recovered corpses were said to have been beheaded, while the stomachs and hearts of others were ripped off.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ordered a probe into the tragic killing of four senior officers and 12 soldiers.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the victims were surrounded by some community youths when troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion were on a peace mission in the Bomadi Local Government Area of the state.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” the statement read.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.”
The defence spokesman said the incident has been reported to the Delta State Government, adding that the CDS has also directed that the culprits be unmasked.
According to him, some suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
He also reiterated the commitment of the military to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in various parts of the country.
“The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.
“However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”