Parts of the Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State where 16 officers and soldiers were killed have been razed down by unknown persons.
There were, however, speculations that some aggrieved soldiers may have perpetrated the act in response to the killing of their officers and colleagues.
Meanwhile, the manhunt for the killers of the military personnel was still ongoing while some arrests had been made by the soldiers led by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam.
Residents of the coastal community were said to have fled to neighbouring Ughelli town for fear of a reprisal by the soldiers, who have been patrolling the creeks.
AANI Demands Justice For 16 Soldiers Killed In Delta, Says Act Unforgivable
LEADERSHIP reports that 14 lifeless bodies of soldiers were in the early hours of Saturday recovered by soldiers of the Joint Task Force at Okuama Community following attack on them by suspected youths of Okuama community.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has ordered a probe into the tragic killing of four senior officers and 12 soldiers.
It was gathered that the slain military personnel had responded to a distress call after a communal crisis broke out between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State, but they were ambushed and killed on Thursday, March 14 by the warring youths.
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 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 had 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,” the Defence spokesman stated.
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