The Defence Headquarters has issued a plea to both the Delta State Government and residents of the Okuoma community to cooperate in identifying those responsible for the recent killing of military personnel in the area.
Recall that 17 military personnel lost their lives in a clash with enraged youths during a dispute over land in Bomadi and Okuoma communities within the state.
These soldiers, belonging to the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were attacked and killed while responding to a distress call last Thursday.
In a statement released on Friday, Major General Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, emphasized the importance of not shielding the perpetrators of this crime.
He urged the state government and local communities to view this call for assistance as a pressing obligation.
The statement read, “Accordingly, the state government and host communities of these personalities are required to assist the investigation in fishing out the perpetrators of the crime.
“There can be no hiding place for perpetrators of such dastardly acts against our nation. This is a clarion call to duty for members of this community and the state government”
Commenting on a viral video where an individual confessed to involvement in the killings, Buba suggested that it could aid in narrowing down the list of suspects.
He stated, “Significantly, there is a viral video of a person admitting to have perpetrated the killings of the soldier in Delta State. The video, among other things, helps to narrow investigations to persons of interest and their cohorts.”
Buba, however, said clearance operations were ongoing to recover weapons stolen from the slain soldiers.
While clearance operations to recover stolen weapons are ongoing, no major arrests have been made yet.
Buba mentioned, “Troops have continued a manhunt for the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of 18 soldiers that occurred on 14 Mar 2024. Accordingly, clearance operations as well as cordon and search were conducted to, among other things, recover the weapons of the deceased soldiers.
“Some of the communities in which troops operate include Akugbene, Ukuama, and Okoloba Communities in Ugheli and Ugheli South of Delta State. Others are Ukuama Amusamo, Akwagbe, Arhavwarien, Pirigbene, and Igbomatoro Communities, all in Delta State.
“The decomposing hearts of some of the killed soldiers were recovered during the search, while the manhunt continues with no significant arrest yet made” He said