Community leader tells FG to establish army barracks in Okuama to tackle killings
Comment
The Federated Community of Okoloba in Delta State has reached out to the federal government for the establishment of an army barracks in the neighboring town of Okuama town, to tackle the communal clashes and killings in the area.
ADVERTISEMENT
Okuama is an Urhobo community in between two Ijaw communities—Akugbena and Okoloba—in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta
Mr Clement Koki, the chairman of the Federated Okoloba community, declared this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to reports made by NAN on March 14th, 17 Millitay personnel were killed in Okuma, with a communal clash following suit.
The 181 Amphibious Battalion which was attached to the killed personnel, were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed and killed.
According to Koki, who condemned the killing of the officers and soldiers, he said that establishing an army barracks at Okuama would promote peace in the area.
He also proceeded, “We don’t want bloodbaths again. We have lost enough people, including the finest military officers who were killed.
“Our women have been raped, and our people are regularly kidnapped. When people go to the farm, they don’t return.
“With barracks, everyone will maintain order because everyone fears soldiers.
“Government must save our souls. That is the only thing that can give us peace.”
Koki sympathized with neighboring communities for the temporary inconveniences imposed on them occasioned by security measures put in place by the military to forestall further crises.
