ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori has said that the killing of Army officers and other civilians in the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government of State, has left the area deserted.
Governor Oborevwori said no one is left in the community as he was unable to reach any of the community leaders, describing the incident as strange.
The member representing the community in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, told his colleagues at the Green Chamber yesterday that his people were hiding in the bush.
Oborevwori spoke with reporters after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on developments, at the State House, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Army put the number of those killed at 17, including four officers.
READ ALSO: ‘Killers Of 16 Soldiers May Be Mercenaries’ – Akpabio
The officers are Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj. Safa, Maj. D.E Obi, and Captain U. Zakari.
The soldiers are Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Yahaya Danbaba, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Haman Peter and Ibrahim Abdullahi.
The rest are Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.
The officers and soldiers were on a peace mission when those believed to be Okuama youths ambushed and murdered them on Thursday.
Governor Oborevwori said while his government has met with the military, it has not been able to meet with the community leaders because the place has been deserted.
READ ALSO:Nine Die In Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway Crash
He added: “First and foremost, the community has been deserted. So, the issue of whether we’ve been able to see the community leaders, no.
“We’ve only gotten a full briefing from the Army and we’re on it because this week the traditional council is going to meet and discuss.
“I’m going to invite stakeholders. We’re on top of it.”
The Governor further noted that a security meeting was held on Monday with the heads of security agencies in attendance.
“We’re on the same page to fish out the real culprits because innocent people will not suffer for it.
“They have assured us that no innocent person will be victimised.”
Oborevwori said peace and security were key priorities of his administration.
According to the governor, he had worked with other stakeholders from Okuama and Okoloba to address the age-long rivalry between them.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Vows to Bring Killers of Army Officers, Soldiers to Justice
He said: “Since last year, we’ve been enjoying peace. We commend all the security agencies, but an unfortunate thing happened last week. People who don’t know the issues are talking.
“The two communities have been having issues for years. On February 7, they were invited by the state government.
“The two communities – the members representing the two local governments, the council chairmen and the leaders of those communities – were invited.
“They agreed to work together and signed a peace accord.
“This unfortunate incident is very sad because Delta is governed by the tenets of the rule of law and decency.
“I promised Deltans that I’d be the governor of all and we’ve been enjoying peace.
“One of my M.O.R.E. Agenda is that we’ll enhance peace and security, and that’s what we’ve been doing.
“What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for, but we want to assure everybody that there’ll be no more attacks on the villages.
“Those who are culpable will be brought to book, but the innocent citizens will not be attacked.”
He added that the families of those killed will not be abandoned.
“The people that have been killed, the officers and soldiers; we must see how we can find succour for their families and give them a befitting burial,” Oborevwori said.