No fewer than twenty-two soldiers on a rescue mission to the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State were ambushed and killed by armed assailants and local mercenaries on Wednesday, March 13.
It may be recalled that the Bomadi Division of the JTF, under the leadership of Major Jaffa, set out on a rescue mission to the Okuama community.
Their objective was to liberate a kidnapped youth, Anthony Aboh, a resident of the nearby Okoloba community in Bomadi Local Government Area.
The abduction stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between the two communities.
According to a source within the military team, the commander and his soldiers were caught off guard while returning to the waterfront.
This occurred following a stalled discussion at the Okuama community hall regarding the kidnapped youth.
The source said, “We were coming back to our boats after the unfruitful discussion to release the kidnapped victim of Okoloba community. Suddenly, there were rains of bullets coming from all directions and some of us managed to escape.
“Many people were killed during the ambush, including a former honourable member from Okoloba community, who reported the matter to the JTF.
“But, the commander and other officers were held hostage and taken to an unknown destination towards the creek opposite the community”, he said.
The source disclosed that twenty-two military personnel lost their lives in the Okuama community, including one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain, and eighteen soldiers.
Meanwhile, the lifeless body of the kidnapped youth, Anthony was found floating in River Forcados.
A separate source from the Okoloba community also confirmed the incident, “We found the lifeless body of Anthony Aboh floating on River Forcados near Ayakoromo community, and like other victims, he was blindfolded with hands tied behind his back”.
Comments