The Okuama attack in Delta State, Southern Nigeria, once again brought to the forefront the multi-faceted security challenges the country is grappling with.
The incident, which occurred in Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State resulted in the brutal murder of 17 Nigerian soldiers some of whom were beheaded and had their bodies mutilated.
With the controversy of the details of the attack still lingering, Newscentral TV went to the community to get first-hand information from the indigenes on what transpired in the lead-up to the horrific incident and the state of the community following its invasion by the Nigerian military who were in search of the culprits.
What Happened? – From the Villagers’ Mouth
A community leader who narrated the incident said that everyone went about their business on March 14, the day of the incident. “Women were in their farms when suddenly military men arrived in boats seeking to take some of their elders away to Bomadi for interrogations.”
Bomadi is a town which is on the banks of the Forcados River and hosts the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Joint Task Force in Delta.
The leader said the interrogations may not be unconnected with the long-running feud which the community had with its neighbour, Okoloba.
However, while the community was resisting the arrest of their elders, boats appeared suddenly armed men who shot at the soldiers present as everyone ran for their lives into the bush.
Following the incident and the reports that emanated in the aftermath, he said the military arrived at the deserted village two days later and torched everything. The only building spared was the 121-year-old St. Peters Anglican Church. Schools, homes, and the health centre were all razed and even the community’s generator was taken away.
Recounting the horrific experience, the community has suffered since the incident, another community member named Jonah said many people died while hiding in the bush from snake bites, starvation and illness and appealed to the government to help rebuild their lives.
Akpokoruma, the lawyer representing the community Warri said that while it was regrettable that soldiers were killed on Okuama soil, they believe it was a set-up
Consensus Amongst Indigenes
Many corroborated Mr Akpokoruma’s view. They said Okuama was a peace-loving town and its people would never take the law into their hands.
Another consensus amongst the community was the name of one Patrick who they say has been terrorising the community. He is believed to be Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
In his closing remarks, Kayode Akintemi, Editor in Chief of News Central holding a malnourished baby says he was heartbroken with what he had seen and appealed to the governor to help rebuild the lives of those in the community.
The Okuama attack highlights the need for concerted efforts by the government, the people, and the international community to address the root causes of insecurity and build a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens.