Military Siege in Okuama Over as Army Withdraw Soldiers, Oborevwori Thanks President Tinubu

As the displaced and distraught people of Okuama in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State prepare to return to their homes which they fled following the unfortunate incident of March 2024 when some military officers and men were gruesomely murdered in the community, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has pledged his government’s commitment to make the process smooth and seamless. This followed the withdrawal on Thursday, of military personnel which had laid siege to the Okuama community as the Nigerian Army high command went on the offensive to smoke out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Governor Oborevwori said after a personal assessment of the community on April 20, 2024, the government had since commenced setting up an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Ewu to serve as transition to aid their rehabilitation. He promised that the government shall render all the necessary assistance the people needed “to enable them settle down quickly and joyfully in Okuama”.

While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the military authorities for their understanding and cooperation in the withdrawal of troops from the embattled community, the governor said with this development, the people could now safely return to their homes and begin the process of reintegration, and the rebuilding of their homes and community.

Recall that on Thursday March 14, 2024, 16 personnel of the Nigerian Army made up of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, 12 soldiers, as well as one civilian, were killed in an ambush at Okuama when they responded to a crisis situation between the Okuama and Okoloba communities in the oil-rich Delta State.

Governor Oborevwori said: “My dear good people of Delta State, I have the pleasure to announce to you that upon many deliberations and collaborations between the state government and the Military leadership, the Nigerian Army has agreed to withdraw its officers and men from Okuama. I spoke with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Monday, 6th of May, and as at today, 8th of May 2024, the Military have withdrawn from Okuama.

“With this development, the people of Okuama can now safely return to their homes and begin the process of reintegration and rebuilding their homes. I want to express my deep and profound gratitude to Mr. President, the Chief of Army Staff, and the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army for their understanding and cooperation. In my engagements with them, they demonstrated the highest level of concern and care for the plight of the displaced persons. To God be the glory that we have achieved an amicable resolution.”

Also commending members of the National Assembly, other distinguished Nigerians, traditional rulers, and other leaders of thought who stood with the state throughout the Okuama saga, the governor assured all Deltans and residents in the state of his administration’s irrevocable commitment to enhanced peace and security in the state as contained in his MORE agenda. He said it was also pertinent “to point out that matters of security are better handled with tact, wisdom and patience; it is not meant to be a subject of daily media discourse as some would have wanted”.

According to him, “As the people of Okuama start the process of returning to their homes, I pledge the commitment of the Delta State Government to make that process smooth and seamless. After a personal assessment of the community on 20th of April 2024, we have since commenced setting up an Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ewu to serve as transition to aid their rehabilitation. We shall render all the necessary assistance they need to enable them settle down quickly and joyfully in Okuama.

“It is my prayer and belief that NEVER AGAIN would Delta experience the kind of tragedy that happened in Okuama. Security, as we all know, is a shared responsibility. So, we will continue to count on the support and cooperation of every citizen to ensure that our state remains safe and peaceful. Once again, I commiserate with the families of victims of the Okuama incident”.