Tension as Civilian killed, JTF commander, soldier held hostage, others injured in Delta community

By Peters Monday, Abuja

Tension is heightened in the creeks as a civilian killed, Bomadi Local Government Area JTF commander and a soldier is currently held hostage in Okuama community in Ughelli North local government in Delta State.

According to a report, one person was allegedly killed and many civilians and soldiers sustained bullet injuries, on Wednesday, as armed youths and hired mercenaries of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, opened fire on a team of the military Joint Task Force, JTF, who were on a mission to rescue a hostage from the community.

A local source said the armed youths and hired mercenaries of Okuama, on Wednesday ambushed and kidnaped another indigene of Okoloba community in Bomadi Local Government Area, over the lingering land dispute between the two communities.

Recall, early this week armed youths of Okuama community, ambushed and abducted a youth of Okoloba community from his mother’s farm, who was killed and drowned in the river.

The source said about 4:00pm Wednesday Okuama armed men laid ambush again and kidnap one, Mr Anthony Aboh from Okoloba community and took him to their community.

Following this reoccurring ugly development, the chairman of Okoloba community alerted the DPO Bomadi Police Division, JTF Bomadi Division, the SSS Bomadi, as well as the Civil Defense Corps.

It was gathered that the JTF swiftly swung into action and moved to Okuama to rescue the hostage.

The statement reads, “But, on sighting the JTF personnel, the armed men of Okuama aided by hired mercenaries from various Ewu communities, opened fire on them upon their arrival towards the community waterfront and the situation.

“A gun duel between the duo ended up with two soldiers sustaining severed bullet wounds. Some of the soldiers managed to escape with the two wounded soldiers and who are currently in an undisclosed hospital in Bomadi.

The source further reiterated, “As I’m talking to you, the Bomadi JTF Commander with one other soldier are reportedly held hostage and taken to the creek towards Ewu and nobody knows their whereabouts. However, detailed investigation revealed that the kidnapped youth has been killed by Okuama and his corpse disposed into River Forcados in the early hours of Thursday 11th March, 2024.

“This morning, being Thursday, the JTF mobilised its men to the creek and presently they are at Okuama and nobody knows the exact situation over there”.