In response to the deaths of sixteen soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State, claimed that the principal killers had vanished into the creeks and into neighboring states. Because Delta State is geographically close to other states by waterways, he pointed out that finding the suspects will be difficult.
He stated that the authorities are currently interrogating individuals suspected of involvement in the incident. He also highlighted that assurances have been extended to communities, ensuring security for those uninvolved. However, he refrained from prematurely identifying specific suspects, acknowledging the ongoing manhunt. He pinpointed that once incidents like these occur, perpetrators swiftly vanish into the creeks, making apprehension a daunting task.
The President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the Nigerian Soldiers marching order to find the perpetrators behind the killing of the four senior officers and 12 soldiers in Okuama Community. However, the critical worry is about the carriage of the military operation and how it could affect the lives of the civilians living in those communities.
He said in an interview with Arise TV, ”The main perpetrators who killed the soldiers have disappeared into the creeks and to neighboring states. You will understand that Delta state shares boundaries by the waterways with a number of States. So the suspects who have been brought in are being questioned.
The assurances that we gave to the communities is that for those who have nothing to hide and who are not involved in their security are guaranteed. But I think it will be too early for me to start telling you that these are the main suspects, the manhunt is still on. Once these things happen, these people do not wait, they disappear into the creeks. So we are looking for these individuals to ensure that the directive of the commander in chief to bring them to book and bring them to justice is carried out.”
