A sudden withdrawal of military personnel from the embattled Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has led to chaos and violence, resulting in one death and three individuals sustaining machete wounds.
According to the Nation, sources from neighboring communities, the military pulled out of Okuama on Tuesday without prior notice, prompting some indigenes to return to the community.
However, this led to an ambush and attack on three individuals from Akugbene community, who were on their way to Ezebiri community.
One of the victims, who escaped with machete cuts, reported that they were attacked by Okuama returnees, who pointed guns at them and led others towards the community waterfront.
A former chairman of Akugbene, who pleaded anonymity, said: “We were surprised to see the soldiers pulled out yesterday (Tuesday) and some indigenes of Okuama immediately went back to the community.
“We believed some soldiers who are of Urhobo decent at Okuama must have passed prior information to them of their planned pull out. We have some respite now as we were like in a cage, not moving out to neighbouring communities at the Okuama direction where we go and buy most of our food stuff and household materials, particularly at the Okuagbe market.
“But, as I’m talking to you, there is a problem; three indigenes of our community have already been ambushed and attacked with machetes by Okuama returnees. They were on their way to Ezebiri community along the footpath linking various communities on hearing that the road is free.
“One of them who escaped back to our community with machete cuts narrated that they were attacked by the Okuama returnees while on their way to Ezebiri, who pointed guns at them. They attacked them with machetes when he managed to escape, while others were led towards the jetty at the community waterfront.
“The victim is in a critical condition with us right here at the primary healthcare centre”.
The chairman of Okoloba community, Mr. Clement Koki, has called for peace and urged residents to pray for protection.
“It is true that the soldiers have left Okuama. On our part as a community, we will continue to maintain the peace and pray to God Almighty for His protection and support,” he said.
The withdrawal of the military from Okuama comes after a previous incident on March 14, 2024, where soldiers on peace and rescue operations were killed, leading to the burning down of the community in retaliation.
