Jonathan Nwokpor
The gang that killed 17 soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Council Area, Delta State, lately has a suspected ring leader who has come out to defend their actions.
The young man, who did not cover his face, shot off rumours that the fallen troops were visiting the community on a peace mission in a widely shared TikTok video.
He claimed. They were there to fight for the neighbouring Okoloba community in the ongoing land conflict. Okoloba is Ijaw, and Okuama is Urhobo.
The gang leader claimed that his father, a retired captain in the Nigerian Army, had died the previous year and that the troops had previously come and taken some people away, allegedly killing them, only to return and arrest the leaders of the Okuama community.
He consistently declared that would be his last; he stated in Pidgin English, “Okuama and Okoloba get the land issue. Small crisis come dey. Ijaw people, wey Federal Government give power … that man go use Army carry people from Okoloba community. Now dey don dey come back to carry community leaders. And once they carry community leaders, you know the youths are powerless.”
The gang leader declared that they had no regrets about killing the troops under the given circumstances.
On March 14, the 17 victims—all members of the 181 Amphibious Battalion—were killed.
In a statement titled “Rest in Peace, our Fallen Heroes,” the Nigerian Army identified the victims as Commanding Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt.-Col. A.H. Ali, Majors S.D. Shafa and D.E. Obi, and Captain U. Zakari. Soldiers affected include Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporals Yahaya Danbaba and Kabiru Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sola Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Hamman Peter and Ibrahim Abdullahi. Others were Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.
The Nigerian Military has launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Watch the video below
Tompolo caused the killings in Okuama community in Delta State, he those Soldiers and they killed brothers on their first visit. “- man speaks over the crisis in Delta state pic.twitter.com/cALXFFLUgQ
— Nwa ❤️ (@Nwaadaz) March 21, 2024
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