…say community, under Investigation
The Nigerian army has declared Okuama community in Ughelli south local government area of Delta State a crime scene, following the killing of 17 soldiers in a yet to be confirmed but widely spread peace mission.
The Chief of Military Civil Affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists during the Nigerian Army Civil-military cooperation media chat held on Wednesday 3rd March 2024, in Asaba, the State capital.
General Ugbo, said that details of investigation would be made public as soon as they concludes investigation.
Major Ugbo, said that the military have recovered some of the arms and ammunition carted away by the killers, adding that it is making progress in line with its mandate to recover the rest.
“This issue is an issue under investigation but I am telling you that our arms and ammunition, we are still searching for them. We have gotten some, we have not gotten others. So, the search is continuing”.
Asked why the military denied the press access to the community for a first hand and on-the-spot assessment of the place he said, “it is a crime scene. Even in civil crime, they will tap it, everywhere. So, that is a crime scene.
“Investigation has not been concluded, I don’t think it will be appropriate for you or anybody to go there and interfere with investigation”, stressing that every other issue around Okuama community, is still under investigation.
“And I believe and I will assure you that at the end of the investigation, at the end of whatever will unfold, these things will be brought to the fore.
“It is a global world today, we are all interconnected. Nigeria, cannot be in isolation. So, everyone of you would be briefed of the outcome of the investigation”.
Although several questions ranging from “who deployed the dead personnel for the peace mission”, “allegations of the personnel escorting oil bunkers from Okoloba Indigenes while destroying others” and many other burning questions begging for answers were unattended to.
From the body language of the army particularly as it regards the ongoing search for their arms and ammunition, the military would not leave Okuama anytime soon.
