The army has reportedly traced the whereabouts of a militant leader believed to be responsible for the killing of 16 soldiers in a Delta community to Bayelsa state.
The Nigerian army has reportedly tracked the militant leader suspected of orchestrating the killing of 16 soldiers last Thursday in Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, to the riverine Igbomoturu community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
According to Vanguard, soldiers encountered resistance from some youths during their incursion and subsequently engaged them, resulting in casualties. Additionally, there were reports of the army setting fire to houses belonging to militants in the area.
Reportedly, soldiers arrived in the community on Sunday, March 17, at approximately 8:00 am, deploying seven gunboats and a passport boat. They proceeded to cordon off the community, prompting villagers to flee for safety into the surrounding bush. Additionally, the military conducted a raid on the Akugbene community in Bomadi Local Government Area, aiming to apprehend individuals suspected of fleeing to that area.
The authorities brought the Akugbene community chairman and several others to Bomadi, the headquarters of the council area, over allegations of harboring the fleeing chairman of Okuama community and other suspects.
Additionally, it was reported that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, visited the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian military in Bomadi on Monday, March 18.
Oborevwori’s visit prompted a significant security presence in the riverside town. Armored vehicles manned by combined security forces were stationed at strategic locations from the early hours of the day, while a helicopter hovered overhead. The governor proceeded directly to the military base at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Road in Bomadi, where he engaged in a closed-door meeting with military authorities that lasted over an hour.
Investigations indicated that the governor’s visit was linked to the recent incident involving the killing of soldiers and the subsequent destruction of the Okuama community.
