On Sunday, stern-looking armed soldiers combed the creeks in the coastal districts of Bayelsa and Delta states.
Their mission was to find the killers of 16 soldiers from the Nigerian Army.
The soldiers were suspected to have been murdered by youths in the Okuama community of Ughelli South local government area in Delta State.
To emphasize the gravity of the task, fresh troops have been deployed to the affected areas, especially the troubled scenes and neighboring Ijaw and Urhobo communities in the two states.
As a result, business activities and daily life in these regions came to a standstill under the watchful eyes of the troops.
Gunboats were strategically positioned at the Okuama community jetty, serving as a deterrent to the defiant youths.
It was learnt that military authorities have already identified the names of the hoodlums responsible for this heinous act, and they are now on the list for arrest.
On Thursday, 16 soldiers, including the commanding officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi, a Lieutenant Colonel, two Army majors, an Army Captain, and 12 other personnel, were ambushed and killed during a peacekeeping mission in Okuama community.
The headless corpses of 14 fallen soldiers were later recovered from the waters of Okuama community on Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, today (Monday), the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt Taoreed Lagbaja is expected to visit the scene, assessing the situation and evaluating efforts aimed at apprehending the culprits.
