There were palpable fears in Okuama community, Ughelli South LGA of Delta at the weekend following the unfortunate killing 16 military officers on March 14. It was alleged that the community mobilized its youths to launch an unprovoked attack on troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion of the Nigerian Army, who were stationed in the area.

It was alleged that the troops had gone to broker peace between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State who were having communal crises. It was reported that the team led by the Commanding officer, Lt. Col. Ali, came under heavy attack by some youths in the community, leading to his death and that of two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.

This unfortunate incident has brought back memories of 25 years ago when armed gangs in Odi, Bayelsa state, killed 12 policemen on official duty and the Federal Government deployed soldiers that completely left Odi in ruins. There are fears that the killing of 16 military personnel during a communal clash in Delta State could bring about the reenactment of the Odi situation.

According to a report monitored on Channels Television, the community where 16 soldiers were killed on Thursday has been razed. The Okuama coastal community where the killing of the soldiers took place may have been razed Sunday morning.

It is not clear who razed the houses in the community or if anyone died from it but the television station reported that residents have fled to the neighbouring Ughelli community for fear of reprisals by soldiers.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Saturday, confirmed that a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers died in the clash. According to the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement “The military personnel met their deaths while responding to a distress call during a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State on Thursday”.

He said the community youths attacked the soldiers while the troops were on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state Brig. Gen. Gusau said that the commanding officer of the troops died in the attack.

Already, he said a few arrests have been made while steps are in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.

His words:” The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024.

“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.

“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 Soldiers.”

Already, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime.

The DHQ said the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

“So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack. Additional details later,” Gusua said.

Twenty three years ago,more than 100 civilians were killed by Nigerian soldiers in several villages in Benue State, in a military exercise apparently carried out as revenge for the killing of 19 soldiers earlier in October 2001.

Militia of the Tiv ethnic group are believed to have been responsible for the abduction and murder of 19 soldiers, whose mutilated bodies were found in the village of Zaki-Biam on October 12.

According to official statements, the soldiers had been deployed to the area to restore law and order following clashes between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups. Benue and neighboring Taraba states, in central Nigeria, have been the scene of longstanding disputes between these two groups, which erupted again in October 2001.

Mr. Peter Takirambudde, the then Executive Director of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch said :“The murder of the 19 soldiers should certainly be condemned, but their deaths do not justify the slaughter of civilians by the Nigerian army”, adding “the security forces have a duty to protect, not to attack, the population,”

Following the massacre in Odi, the Federal Government was ordered to pay N37.6 billion as compensation within 21 days to the people of Odi in Bayelsa State over the invasion of the community by armed soldiers in 1999.

Justice Lambi Akanbi of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, gave the order while ruling on a N100 billion suit filed by the people of Odi.

In addition to the demand for compensation, the community demanded from the Federal Government to issue a public apology for the total destruction and the loss of over 1000 lives. It also asked the court to order the Federal Government to rebuild the community.

In his judgement, Justice Akanbi berated the government for the “brazen violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims to movement, life and to own property and live peacefully in their ancestral home.”

He said the soldiers completely destroyed the town. He dismissed the argument of counsels to government that no inhabitant of the community was killed except members of the armed gangs and that no property was destroyed as untrue.