The Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has visited Okuama, the Ughelli South Local Government Area community where seven soldiers were killed in the state on March 14.
The governor was led Saturday by the Commander of the 63 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Unachukwu Ugochukwu and the new Commander of the 181 Battalion, Lt Col Dabo, into the community, where almost every structure has been levelled by the military since the residents fled the area after the incident.
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The development comes after the Army released the Ovie (King) of Ewu-Urhobo, His Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1 after 21 days of detention at the Army Headquarters Abuja following his self-surrender among eight persons declared wanted by the Defense Headquarters in connection with the killing of the soldiers.
Oborevwori, on his visit to Okuama, said, “We have followed due process in the whole incident. The people (soldiers) have been buried and the king who was detained has been released yesterday (Firday) and today I am here to see what happened in Okuama community.
“We have been enjoying peace and security since last year until the 14th of March, when the four Army officers and 13 soldiers were murdered.
“They were not just murdered; their bodies were mutilated, and we have come here to see what happened.
“Let me reiterate Mr President’s promise that no innocent person would be victimized, and you can see that, from that time till now, there has been no harassment of citizens of this community.
“I have come to see how the innocent people of this community can be reintegrated back with the cooperation of the military.
“We know it’s a big loss to them, but we have to follow due process. The Brigade Commander is with us, and the newly posted Commander of 181 Battalion, Lt. Col. Dabo, is also here with us, and it’s a great synergy,” the governor said.