Why we barred people from Okuama – Military

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has disclosed why residents of Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State are yet to have access to their homes. Recall that on March 14, suspected residents of Okuama ambushed and killed the Commanding Officer (CO) of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain […]

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has disclosed why residents of Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State are yet to have access to their homes.

Recall that on March 14, suspected residents of Okuama ambushed and killed the Commanding Officer (CO) of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers.

According to reports, the troops were attacked while responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme on Wednesday, Gen Musa explained that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and residents of Okuama had no access to the community because security agencies were carrying out a “cordon and search” operation.

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He also said the army was not taking the law into its hands by declaring wanted some persons over the killing of the officers.

He said, “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.”

Daily Trust further reports that the slain soldiers were buried in Abuja on Thursday.