Security personnel in the Nigerian Army uniform have reportedly killed three youths and looted provision stores in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was learnt that the troops stormed the community in four Gunboats, 11 speedboats, shooting indiscriminately in their numbers.
It was also learnt that the invaders also towed away a large granite canoe, a sand dredger and generating sets used by the returning villagers.
A community youth who spoke to Vanguard after returning from his hideout, recounted that the military personnel came in four Gunboats, 11 speedboats shooting sporadically.
The three youths reportedly killed by the soldiers were identified as Ojeh Asah, Uwhubunor James, and Enavwodo Peter.
According to a source privy to the incident, “This morning at about 3am, we got the information that about 15 gun boats are coming to our area and we all came out to observe, and we were awake from that time to about 6am.
“As the day breaks we suddenly saw a drone probably taking video clips of the entire community. We were afraid and some women were running into the creek for safety, they called to inform us that 3 gunboats are in the river.
“And the next thing we heard were gun shots by the military and we all have to run into the bush. Before we came out from the bush, the army packed away every items in the provisions stores in the community and destroyed our garri.
“They took our generators Pos Machine and pumping machine. The dredger that is currently working in the community, they took it along. They also went away with the granite boat that came to the community.
“What we saw was that they were putting on military uniforms and red color camouflage. They came with about four gun boat and 11 Speed boats and they destroyed houses. The garri we were processing at the premises of the Anglican Church were all destroyed,” he added.
It would be recalled that Okuama community was razed in March 2024 by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in a reprisal attack following the murder of 17 military personnel by unknown gunmen near the community.
Every building including hospital, schools and other private buildings in the community were uprooted and reduced to rubbles.