Military Eases Siege To Delta Communities After Killing of Soldiers, Residents Begin Gradual Return

The military high command on the trail of the killers of four officers and 13 soldiers in Delta State has relaxed the siege to Okuama and Okoloba communities, creating opportunities for some indigenes to return to their ancestral homes.

This happened as the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has condemned the killing of army officers and soldiers at Okuama community, and urged the Presidency and the Nigerian Army to open all access to the affected communities for the uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads.

Security sources told THISDAY on Saturday that the heavy presence of operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named ‘Operation Safe Delta’ in the affected communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State has been scaled down to create a conducive atmosphere for the people to return home.

“The number of military personnel deployed to those communities has been reduced drastically since there is no reason for them to continue the siege.

“The attention of the soldiers is now focused on the Ughoroturo community and its environment in search of the killers of the officers and soldiers. The ringleader of the killer gang has been traced to that community,” one of the security sources told THISDAY.

Another security source disclosed that most of the returning villagers were women, and the elderly while male youths of the communities were still afraid for fear of the unknown.

“Most of the people returning home are mainly women and the elderly. Nobody is harassing them. Though socio-economic activities are yet to pick up, with time things will improve,” the source said.

He said contrary to social media reports, many houses were still untouched in the two communities, stressing that the buildings that were touched were mainly those linked with the suspected killers.

“Contrary to social media reports and analysis on broadcast media, many buildings are still standing in the affected communities. The communities were not razed down as being insinuated. At the appropriate time, the military will open the places for the media to visit and assess what’s on the ground,” he added.

In a related development, the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has condemned the killing of army officers and soldiers in the Okuama community.

The council, at its meeting held in Asaba, and presided over by its Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, also expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army authority, the presidency, the families of the dead officers and soldiers, and the government of Delta State for the very unnecessary colossal loss of lives.

In its resolution at the end of the meeting, the DSA & PBC commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his timely responses to what it termed a very sad, complex, and sorrowful situation.

In the resolution signed by Oyovbaire, the DSA & PBC said: “As an institution with excellent credentials of advocacy, commitment, and activism for the promotion, sustenance, and advancement of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, council re-affirms its dedication to the course and quick process of return to peace and stable livelihood in Okuama and all other communities affected by this unfortunate development.

“Council empathised very strongly with the people of Okuama and all our other communities in Delta and Bayelsa states the unfortunate and horrible experiences of suffering and losses.”

“The council urged relevant authorities to fish out the masterminds of the heinous crime to bring them to justice.

It said: “The perpetrators of the criminally bestial killing of the Army officers and soldiers must be apprehended and be duly prosecuted. There must be no hiding locations for these criminals.

“In the meantime, the council calls upon the relevant authorities, especially the Nigerian Army and the presidency to open up all access to the affected communities for uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads for fear of further afflictions.

“The siege to the communities should be dismantled to also facilitate independent observations, investigations, and provision of humanitarian assistance to the needy dwellers for peaceful livelihood,” he explained.

Kingsley Nwezeh and Sylvester Idowu