ASABA — Residents of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State who fled into the bush where they have been hiding since March 14, yesterday, narrated how soldiers surprisingly opened fire on them and allegedly killed about 50 persons.
This came as soldiers backed by seven gunboats, on Sunday, invaded the riverside town of Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, allegedly in search of suspected militants and razed three buildings.
This is even as Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, visited the embattled Okuama community, yesterday, four days after 16 military personnel, including a lieutenant-colonel, lost their lives in an ambush.
The terrified indigenes, who preferred anonymity, said there were many dead bodies in the bush where they were taking cover.
They echoed that the slain military personnel had arrived in two gunboats purportedly for peace talks with the community chairman, and leaders on Thursday, March 14, adding that the community warmly received and offered them kola nut, leading to a peaceful dialogue.
A community source said: “The soldiers came yesterday (Sunday) at about 8am in seven gunboats and a passport boat. I was standing at the waterside when suddenly all hell was let loose. I ran for dear life and took refuge in the bush. “
Another source said: “Since deployment of the military, we have been living in fear, those of us who have engagements outside can’t go out. We can’t sleep at night.
‘’We don’t know the next action of the military, most of our mothers who trade can’t do that, we are really living in fear.”
“We urge the public to resist the temptation of allowing any videos of the incident of the killed personnel from going viral. Their loved ones are still alive , even though they have died protecting our country and its citizens.”
