Updated: Again, Armed Men in Military Fatigue Storm Okuama Community, Leaving three dead in their wake

On Monday morning, Okuama community faced another wave of violence as armed men in military fatigue launched a coordinated attack on the village. Arriving in four gunboats and eleven speedboats, the assailants indiscriminately fired their weapons, killing three youths and causing extensive damage.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers entered the area by land through Okoloba community after conducting aerial surveillance with drones on Sunday. The victims have been identified as Ojeh Asah, Uwhubunor James, and Enavwodo Peter.

A local youth, who spoke to Vanguard after returning from hiding, described the assault. “We received word around 3 a.m. about 15 gunboats approaching, and we stayed alert until about 6 a.m.,” he said. “As dawn broke, we saw a drone surveying the community. Women fled to the creek for safety, and we heard gunshots as the military began their attack.”

The armed men looted local provision stores, destroyed cassava flour (garri) being processed at the Anglican Church premises, and stole valuable community assets including generators, a Point of Sale (POS) machine, and a sand dredger.

They also removed a granite canoe used by villagers.This attack follows the March 2024 destruction of Okuama, which was razed by soldiers in retaliation for the killing of 17 military personnel near the community.

The previous assault led to the obliteration of homes, schools, and hospitals.In a related development, community leaders Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. James Oghoroko, Dennis Okugbaye, Pa Anthony Awhemuria, and Mrs. Rita Akpata were detained by the military between August 18-20 and are still held in undisclosed locations.

The Okuama people have filed two lawsuits in the Federal High Court Warri, seeking N200 million for the alleged illegal detentions. The suits are FHC/WR/CS/84/2024 and FHC/WR/85/2024, filed by James Oghorokor and Dennis Okugbaye against the Nigerian Army and other parties.

As at the time of filing this report authorities are yet to make any official statement concerning the incident.