Speaking with journalists in his palace in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, the traditional ruler, who lamented that the Okuama killings were “saddening” stated that even though he travelled abroad when the crisis between Okuama and Okoloba was brewing, he contacted the state government at the time and he was assured that government was on top of the situation.
The monarch said, “I will like to state clearly that when this crisis between my community, Okuama and the Ijaw community, Okoloba was starting early this year, I was in the United Kingdom at that time.
“I contacted the government at the time, and the information they gave to me was that the government had invited both parties to resolve the issue and that, in fact, it had been resolved.
“So, that’s just the summary of what I know regarding the crisis.”
The traditional ruler spoke further, “This is a very sad time for our Kingdom, for Delta State and for Nigeria generally. My heart is really saddened.
“These military men are there to protect our nation. They should be held in high esteem. They are there to protect us from invaders or people who want to commit heinous crimes.
“Alas! It is very sad that the people who are there to protect us are being killed in the process. It is disheartening.
“I totally condemn it. It is unacceptable.
“To cap it all, one of those killed in the process is somebody who put in all he could at the time of the presentation of my instrument of office in November last year. He was supportive. He stood firmly by me. I am short of words.
“May their souls rest in peace.”
16 Nigerian soldiers lost their lives while attempting to quell the violent clashes between the two communities.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Saturday, said troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion deployed in the Bomadi region were killed on Thursday, March 14 while on a peace-keeping mission in Okuoma community.
According to reports, soldiers from the Joint Task Force, led by Major General Jamal Abdussalam, have recovered the bodies of 15 soldiers.
