- He also said the Nigerian Army was not taking laws into its own hands by declaring wanted, some persons wanted over the killing of the 17 officers and men.
The Nigerian military has disclosed why the residents of Okuama in Delta State are still not allowed to access their homes days after the military besieged the community.
This is even as chairman of the Okoloba community in Delta State, Mr. Clement Koki, accused the people of Okuama of hiring the mercenaries who killed the military men in the riverside settlement.
Recall that Okuama and Okoloba communities have been enmeshed in a communal clash which predated the killing of the military personnel.
Speaking on Arise TV, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, said troops were currently conducting a cordon and search operation in the community (as arms and ammunition of those killed in-action troops have not been recovered).
It would be recalled that some rampaging youths who are suspected residents of Okuama working with some other suspects on March 14, ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers
The Defence Headquarters had claimed the troops were attacked while responding to a distress call, arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
The Defence Headquarters had since declared eight suspects wanted over the killings of the military personnel.
Gen Musa stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and residents of Okuama where the attack happened, have no access to the community because the security agencies were carrying out a “cordon and search” operation in the area.
He also said the Nigerian Army was not taking laws into its own hands by declaring wanted, some persons wanted over the killing of the 17 officers and men.
“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 that at the end of the operation, residents of the community will always go back,” he said.
Meanwhile, Okoloba community has accused Okuama of being behind the killing of officers and men of the Nigerian Army in their domain