Nigeria’s military dismissed allegations of vengeance operations in the wake of the tragic killing of 16 soldiers in the southern Delta state. This denial comes amid claims from residents accusing troops of setting fire to a village in retribution.
Footage depicting engulfed houses along the Forcados river has circulated on social media since Sunday, yet AFP has not independently verified the authenticity of the videos.
Residents in the oil-rich region have pointed fingers at troops for allegedly targeting Okuama residents following the soldiers’ demise, announced on Saturday.
The army stated that the soldiers fell victim to a confrontation with local youths on Thursday while attempting to mediate between Okuama, an ethnic Urhobo village, and the neighboring ethnic Ijaw village of Okoloba.
Late on Monday, defence spokesman Major General Edward Buba rebuffed claims of retaliatory actions as “fake news.”
“The military debunks all claims that the military embarked on reprisal attacks in Okuama Community after the incident. The community was deserted even before troops arrived at the scene,” Buba said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday, declared that he had granted the army “full authority to bring to justice anyone found to have been responsible” for the soldiers’ deaths.
“The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished,” he said.
Tinubu also disclosed that a civilian lost their life in the attack, while the army confirmed multiple arrests.
Recent reports in Nigerian media have highlighted deadly clashes between the two communities, with each asserting ownership over land and fishing rights.
In the aftermath of Saturday’s assault, residents fled Okuama and sought refuge in nearby villages.
“As I’m talking to you right now, soldiers are there and they continue the demolition of buildings in the community,” a resident from the neighbouring town of Bomadi told media on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Nigeria has previously faced accusations of military retaliations following the deaths of soldiers, including the 2001 Zaki Biam massacre in eastern Benue state and the 1999 Odi massacre, where the army was implicated in the deaths of hundreds in southern Bayelsa state.
