Days following the tragic loss of at least 16 soldiers and officers from the Nigerian Army in Okuoma community, Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori paid a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
In his briefing to State House correspondents post-meeting, Governor Oborevwori assured that the situation was being managed effectively, pledging that there would be no further assaults.
However, he refrained from confirming purported reprisal actions by the military or disclosing casualty figures, citing the ongoing nature of the security situation as a limitation to his commentary.
Governor Oborevwori mentioned his recent meeting with security officials in Bomadi on Monday but stated that discussions with the involved community members had yet to take place, as they were currently dispersed and at large.
The incident occurred during a peacekeeping mission aimed at quelling conflicts between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Among the casualties were a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, 12 soldiers, and one civilian, who lost their lives in an ambush on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
According to a report by Channels Television on Saturday, soldiers from the Joint Task Force, under the command of Major General Jamal Abdussalam, recovered the bodies of 15 soldiers.
In response to the tragedy, President Tinubu issued a statement on Sunday, condemning the act and promising justice. Entitled ‘Statement on the killing of Nigerian soldiers on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Delta State,’ Tinubu vowed retribution, stating, “The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.”
Acknowledging the military’s response to the incident, Tinubu issued new directives for the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators, granting full authority to the Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
More details later….
