The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has admitted that the military personnel are still occupying Okuama community in Delta State to ensure thorough clean up of dangerous weapons hidden everywhere in the community.
“We are currently conducting a cordon and search in the community. Cordon and search operation means we are searching every nook and cranny within the community because they have a lot of illegal funds from crude oil theft.
“They have bought a lot of weapons. It is for us to thoroughly clean the community to ensure that no weapon, no explosive is left in the community.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, who spoke on Arise TV, confirmed that arms and ammunition of the killed in-action troops have not been recovered.
General Musa said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and residents of Okuama where the attack took place, have no access to the community because the security agencies are in serious operations in the area.
“I can tell you that at the end of the operations, residents of the community will always go back.”
It would be recalled that irate youths who are suspected residents of Okuama, working with some other suspects, on March 14, ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers.
The Defence Headquarters had said that the troops were attacked while responding to a distress call, arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
Eight suspects have since been declared wanted in connection with the brutal murder of the military personnel.
