Although the arrested community leaders were not named, the
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had declared eight persons wanted, including Clement
Oghenerukevwe, monarch of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom.
Zagazola said the arrest of the three individuals followed
painstaking efforts by the military to track down the masterminds and killers
of the officers, which made them to look beyond Okuama.
The troops were also said to have recovered assorted weapons
and ammunition believed to be stockpiled for communal clashes.
“Zagazola learnt that
in the course of the raids, cordon and searches being conducted, the troops
recovered assorted high-caliber military-grade weapons in many of the
communities where the operation is going on,” the publication said.
“In one of such searches, the troops stormed the residence
of one Mr Kenneth in Olota who escaped on sighting the soldiers.
“The team discovered one G3 rifle, 853 rounds of 7.62 MM
Nato and 19 rounds of 7.62 Special MM in his house.
“A further search of other locations within the community
led to the discovery of 4 G3 fifties and Magazines, one pump action gun and 3
SMGs, Magazines and 476 cartridges.”
Citing an intelligence source, the publication said the
troops had acted on a directive to mop up the arms and ammunition and disarm
the communities.
After the killing of the army personnel, President Bola
Tinubu and the military high command promised that the perpetrators would be
brought to justice.
