In a startling revelation, the Nigerian military has pointed fingers at monarchs in Okuama and neighbouring communities in Delta State, suggesting their complicity in the tragic murder of 17 soldiers.
Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, emphasized suspicions during a recent statement, implying the involvement of local leaders in the deadly ambush.
The fatal incident occurred on March 14th, when suspected residents of the Okuama Community ambushed and brutally murdered military personnel responding to a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in the southern region of the state.
Among the casualties were the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers.
In a swift response, the Defence Headquarters declared eight suspects wanted in connection to the murders, including the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo.
Ikolo surrendered to the police but was promptly transferred to Nigerian army headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.
Despite protests from members of the Traditional Rulers Council of Chiefs in Ewu-Urhobo, who demanded Ikolo’s immediate release, the military remains steadfast in its assertions.
Musa, during a guest appearance on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, reiterated suspicions of the Urhobo monarchs’ involvement, citing ongoing communal feuds and alleged human sacrifices in the region as evidence of their complicity.
Musa further revealed grisly details of the soldiers’ deaths, indicating that the assailants dismembered their bodies and removed private parts, displaying a heinous level of brutality.
He attributed the attack to the criminals’ resentment towards the military’s efforts to curb illegal activities such as crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.
The army chief emphasized the financial incentives driving such criminal acts, alleging that the perpetrators benefited from illegal crude oil theft, using the proceeds to fund their operations and procure weapons.
Musa’s remarks shed light on the complex web of interests fueling violence in the region and underscore the challenges faced by authorities in restoring peace and security.
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