By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
A community has been burnt down in Delta State. The number of human casualties remain unknown as at press time.
The community was the scene of a gory incidence that saw the killing of 16 soldiers among who were at least four officers.
The soldiers were on peace mission in Okuoma when they were surrounded by youths who killed them
A reinforcement to the community led by senior officers was equally attacked by the armed youths. At the end, 16 soldiers were dead.
On Sunday morning, Irohinoodua was informed that several houses in Okuoma were set ablaze. The actors are yet to be identified but there is widespread assumption that the burning down of the houses was not unconnected with the killing of soldiers.
Soldiers of the joint task force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at Okuama community, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have recovered bodies of soldiers killed by the irate youths.
Sources said the soldiers were butchered and their organs ripped off in the most savage manner.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, earlier ordered a probe into the tragedy.
On Saturday, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said youths encircled the soldiers from 181 Amphibious Battalion before they were killed.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” he said.
The Army high command said the reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.
He said arrests have been made.
