The military high command on the trail of the killers of four officers and 13 soldiers in Delta State has relaxed the siege laid to Okuama and Okoloba communities, creating opportunities for some indigenes to return to their ancestral homes.
This is just 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.
Reports said 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 had 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,” a report by THISDAY quoted a security source to have said.
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.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
