Soldiers' Murder: Why 16 Officers Were Killed in Delta Community, Okuama Man Opens Up in Viral Video

Soldiers' Murder: Why 16 Officers Were Killed in Delta Community, Okuama Man Opens Up in Viral Video

  • A resident of Okuama community in Delta state has alleged in a viral video that the 16 soldiers who were killed in the area did not actually come for peacekeeping
  • The youthful resident claimed that the deceased soldiers were on a mission to protect the interest of popular Niger Delta warlord, Tompolo
  • Legit.ng reports that the incident, which occurred on Thursday, March 14, has sent shock waves throughout the south-south region

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering governance and security matters.

Okuama, Delta state - A young man has released a video explaining what allegedly led to the killing of 16 soldiers in Okuama in Delta state.

The unidentified man said two warring communities, Okuama and Okoloba, had been embroiled in a land dispute which degenerated into a crisis. He, however, blamed the government and leaders for not calling both communities for a genuine peaceful resolution.

Read also

BREAKING: Tragedy as '7 students die' in Nasarawa rice stampede, video emerges

Sixteen Nigerian soldiers were killed in attack in Delta state
A man has accused powers that be of oppression in Okuama, Delta state. Photo credit: @HQNigerianArmy
Source: Twitter

According to him, the slain Nigerian security operatives who came to Okuama were loyalists of Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo.

Legit.ng reports that Tompolo is a former militant leader who was awarded a $50 million (N37.5 billion monthly) contract by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to secure oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

The man said:

“This is the last video I will make over the fight between Okuama community and Okoloba community.
“The Ijaw people from Okuama community used army to carry three people from Okoloba community. The three people were all killed.
“The federal government gave some people power to do (oil) bunkering and after doing the bunkering, the army followed and guard them to sell the product. They betrayed their brothers and their own blood."

Read also

Soldiers' ambush: "What Tinubu told me", Delta governor Oborevwori opens up

The man continued:

"People are making comments that the soldiers that were killed were for peacekeeping. Point of correction; they were not there for peacekeeping. They are fighting in favour of Tompolo because Tompolo has ordered them to do so.
“The 16 soldiers were killed when they came to take away our community leaders and the youths knew that when they take them (the community leaders) away, they will be powerless. That was the reason the 16 soldiers were attacked.

He added:

“My father was a retired army officer who died last year (2023). I have lost six of my people to the fight between Okuama and Okoloba community. The federal government can declare me wanted after making this video."

Watch the video below:

Read more about Delta attack

Read also

Community leader says soldiers’ killers unknown as DHQ releases photos of slain officers

Tinubu announces national honours for slain soldiers

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu announced that the military officials who were brutally killed in Okuama would be given a befitting burial and national honours.

Speaking at the breaking of Ramadan fast on Wednesday, March 20, in Abuja with the speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House, Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the bereaved.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola avatar

Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.