…Others Missing
The Commanding Officer, CO, of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State has been reportedly killed by suspected youths of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State.
Sources told Scudnews that the CO had stormed the community with troops following the alleged abduction of two soldiers and Major Gembu Shafa, the commander of the Military Joint Task Force, JTF unit in Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi Local Government Area of the State.
Scudnews could not immediately ascertain the identity of the battalion commanding officer whose rank is said to be a Lt. Col.
Major Shafa was said to have led a team of soldiers to Okuama on Thursday, March 14, to rescue hostages allegedly held in the river side community when they were ambushed and abducted by armed youths in a surprise attack which left three soldiers and a civilian injured and several others missing.
Following the incident, a re-enforcement of troops reportedly led by the Commanding Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion, Oleh was said to have stormed Okuama community on a search and rescue mission which also turned fatal.
Scudnews learned that the bodies of 14 military personnel including the commanding officer 181 Amphibious Battalion and the commander, JTF Bomadi unit, Major Shafa, have been recovered and taken to the NDDC Jetty in Bomadi at about 6.pm on Friday.
It was further learned that most of the soldiers were killed and thrown into the river, while some of the bodies were beheaded.
The 14 bodies were those so far discovered, according to a source, who said search and rescue operation was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
