Tension gripped the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, as armed soldiers reportedly invaded the town early Monday morning, causing panic and chaos among residents.
The military operation involved numerous soldiers and gunboats, with reports of indiscriminate shooting, according to a community member who spoke to Vanguard under the condition of anonymity.
The operation follows the controversial arrest of several community leaders in Okuama weeks prior, which had already heightened tensions in the area.
According to the source, the military personnel accessed the community via land from the neighbouring Okoloba community, following surveillance activities that included the use of drones on Sunday.
A video, which was recorded during the drone surveillance and later sent to the platform, captured a young resident expressing his distress and appealing for government intervention.
According to the source, “As I speak, soldiers and some youths have stormed our community, shooting at anything in sight. They parked their boats at Okoloba and came on foot. The small tents we have built are being razed.
“Everyone is in disarray; I can’t find my child; why are we being treated in this manner?
“Why will soldiers team up with our enemies to attack us? Our leaders were arrested weeks ago, and now they have come to sack the community.”
