Weeks after 17 military personnel were killed in an attack in Okuama, Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the community, promising the safe return of the indigenes who fled the community after the act.
The governor, accompanied by some government officials, reiterated that innocent citizens would not be made to suffer for what they know nothing about.
“Let me again reiterate Mr President’s promise that no innocent person would be victimised and you can see that. You can see that since that time till now, there has been no harassment of citizens of this community,” he said.
“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 here with us.”
The Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers were ambushed and killed in March, an attack which drew widespread outrage and condemnation.
It led to a manhunt that stretched from Delta State to Bayelsa with several people declared wanted by the military.
Okuama where the murders took place has been inaccessible for weeks as the military and security operatives worked to fish out those behind the act.
The military officials killed were posthumously awarded national honours and buried in the nation’s capital Abuja at a ceremony attended by President Bola Tinubu, the service chiefs, and top federal government officials and governors.
