Sources report that a group of 22 military personnel, on a rescue mission to Okuama community in Delta State, were ambushed by local mercenaries. According to reports, all 22 military personnel were killed during the ambush.
Earlier this week, JTF Maj. Jaffa led a mission to rescue a kidnapped youth from Okuama community in Delta State. It was reported that the youth was kidnapped as a result of a longstanding dispute over land between Okuama and Okoloba communities. However, the mission was allegedly ambushed by local mercenaries, resulting in the deaths of 22 military personnel.
According to a civilian source from the military team, JTF Maj. Jaffa and his men were ambushed while returning to their boat after a roundtable discussion on the kidnapped youth. The source said the military team was caught off guard by the attack.
The source reiterated, “We were coming back to our boats after the unfruitful discussion to release the kidnapped victim of Okoloba community.
“Suddenly, there were rains of bullets coming from all directions and some of us managed to escape.
“Many people were killed during the ambush, including a former honourable member from Okoloba community, who reported the matter to the JTF.
“But, the commander and other officers were held hostage and taken to an unknown destination towards the creek opposite the community”, he said.
According to the source, the ambush led to the deaths of 22 military personnel, including one lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and eighteen soldiers.
In a tragic turn of events, the body of the kidnapped youth, Mr. Anthony Aboh, was found floating in the River Forcados.
Another source from Okoloba community said, “We found the lifeless body of Mr Anthony Aboh floating on River Forcados near Ayakoromo community, and like other victims, he was blindfolded with hands tied behind his back”.