No fewer than 11 locals of the Olota community in Delta State have been arrested by the Nigerian Army carrying out a cordon-and-search operation over the March 14 killing of 17 military personnel at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area
An anonymous resident who witnessed the operation revealed that the soldiers took with them the community’s chairman, Matthew Olokpa, and over 10 others.
He said: “The over 200 soldiers entered Olota in three gunboats this morning (yesterday). They held the Chairman, Matthew Olokpa, Bigi Edjekpewhu, German Obiokute, Kenneth Okorodudu Atua, and others.”
The military invaded the community and set some houses ablaze in the community located 50 kilometres from Okuama.
The soldiers also carted away with them almost all the speedboats they sighted in the jetty.
“Gunshots roared in Olota today Thursday); we ask those in authority to intervene and tell the soldiers to leave Olota in peace. They left with those apprehended, no fewer than 10 persons. They burnt Germany’s house and two others and destroyed one.
“They also left with many speed boats at the jetty belonging to residents. They beat the community chairman to a stupor before they moved him with the others, along with a 75-engine-powered boat belonging to Kenneth. This latest crisis may not be connected with Okuama.”
The soldiers were in the same community as others, including Arhavwarien, Orere, and Omosuomo, more than a week ago, searching for arms and ammunition snatched from the dead soldiers and fleeing suspects.
