The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the town of Okuama to assure the safe return of its citizens who fled following a deadly attack that killed 17 soldiers and officers.
Oborevwori, along with Commander 63 Brigade, Brig Gen Unachukwu Ugochukwu, and other top government officials, reiterated that innocent people should not be punished for something they did not do.
The killing caused the people of Okuama to flee out of fear of being attacked.
He assured them that his administration was doing everything possible to resolve the dispute and bring them back home safely.
The Governor thanked top government officials, including the President and Commander in Chief, for their cooperation and support.
He also urged the people of Okuama not to be afraid and to return to their community, as only those involved in the violence would be sought by the military.
The Governor said:
“We have followed due process in the whole incident. The people have been buried and the King that was detained has been released yesterday and today I am here to see what happened in Okuama community.
“The Okuama 17 is something that we didn’t expect to happen because it is against our bargain for peace and security which I promised Deltans that we are going to enhance.
“We have been enjoying peace and security since last year until the 14th of March when the four Army officers and 13 soldiers were murdered.
“They were not just murdered, their bodies were mutilated and we have come here to see what happened.
“Let me again reiterate Mr President’s promise that no innocent person would be victimised and you can see that, from that time till now, there has been no harassment of citizens of this community.
“I have come to see how the innocent people of this community can be reintegrated back with the cooperation of the military.
“We know its a big loss to them but we have to follow due process. The Brigade Commander is with us and the newly posted Commander of 181 Battalion, Lt Col Dabo, is also here with us and its a great synergy.”
