It was a huge tragedy of immeasurable proportion on Thursday at Okuama Community as a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers were hacked to death while responding to a distress call.
The victims who are troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State were said to have gone on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
Disclosing the killing on Saturday in Abuja, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Acting Director of Defence Information (DDI) said that the troops were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
He further explained that “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 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.”
As a result, he disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime, an ugly incident that has been reported to the Delta State Government.
Despite what transpired, Brig Gen Gusau noted that the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.
Adding that so far, a few arrests have been made while steps are in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.
It would be recalled that this is not the first-time soldiers of the Nigerian Army would be attacked in this manner and killed in the most barbaric way.
What was generally referred to as November 20, 1999, Odi massacre was orchestrated after about 12 policemen were killed while troops of the Nigerian Army were ambushed while on a reinforcement mission at Odi Community, a predominantly Ijaw community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
As a result, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have allegedly ordered the invasion of the community, in an attack largely described as a massacre of about 900 civilians.
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