Following the recent attack that claimed the lives of 16 soldiers and officers in Okuama Community, Delta State, Nigerian Army troops retaliated by launching an invasion on Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Arriving in five gunboats, the soldiers allegedly set fire to houses suspected to be the hideout of a militant leader believed to be involved in the earlier attack on the military personnel in Delta.
The tragic incident in Okuama resulted in the loss of an Army Commander, two majors, a captain, and 12 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
In response, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, immediately ordered an investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.
Residents of Okuama community had already fled to neighboring Ughelli in anticipation of potential reprisals by the military.
Subsequently, houses were set ablaze in Okuama before the troops proceeded to invade the neighboring Bayelsa community.
Reports from the area alleged that upon arrival, the soldiers opened fire on residents at the jetty before burning down three buildings suspected to be the hideout of the militant leader.
The attack resulted in the loss of at least 11 lives, with efforts ongoing to locate other potential casualties.
