It was a gory sight on Saturday as the Nigerian Army recovered the remains of its four senior officers and 12 soldiers killed at Okuama community, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Some of the 14 recovered remains of the military personnel have been decapitated, while stomachs and hearts of others were ripped off, according to Channels Television.
The murdered officers and soldiers belonged to the 63 Amphibious Brigade in Delta State
The recovery of the remains of the soldiers was carried out in the early hours of Saturday by soldiers of the joint task force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam.
According to the report, the bodies of the commanding officer and the two Majors were seen floating at the NDDC jetty while others were seen on the land.
The report also indicated that communities in Bomadi and Ughelli south local government areas of Delta State have been cordoned off by operatives of the 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt.
Four senior officers and 12 soldiers were allegedly killed in an ambush when they were responding to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities on Thursday, March 14.
The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau in a statement on Saturday said the military personnel of the 181 Amphibious Battalion were on a peace mission in the Bomadi Local Government Area of the state when they were killed.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” the statement read.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.”
Gusau said the incident has been reported to the Delta State Government.
He added that the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS has ordered a probe into the incident while some suspects have already been arrested.
“The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.
“However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack,” Gusau said.