16 soldiers killed fighting for Tompolo, not peacekeeping - Okuama youth claims

Following the killing of 16 military personnel in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State by some alleged youths, there have been various reports as to what may have transpired.

In a video shared by a youth who allegedly fought with the soldiers claim that the soldiers consisting of a commanding officer, two majors, one captain and twelve soldiers were not on a peacekeeping mission in Okuama as portrayed.

According to the young man, they were there on behalf of the former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo.

The youth who refused to disclose his name said he is a son of a retired captain who passed away last year.

He said;

“Okuama and Okoloba have land issues but Ijaw people whom the federal government has given power to go after are using the Army to guide their products to the point of sales. They used the Army to pick people from the Okuama community.

“The three people taken were slaughtered, and now they are coming back to pick community leaders and you know that once community leaders are captured; the youths are powerless.

“Those soldiers were not in Okuama for peacekeeping, they were fighting in favour of Tompolo who ordered them to do so.”

His comment comes after the Nigerian Army said the killed troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion were on a peacekeeping mission following the land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Areas of Delta State.

The soldiers were said to have been ambushed and murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of the community, in the most sacrilegious manner.

Watch the video below;