Okuama Killings: Town still not accessible due to cordon-and-search — Defence Chief

General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has stated that the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State remains inaccessible due to ongoing army operations conducting a cordon-and-search.

In an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday, April 3, General Musa explained that the operation is still in progress, emphasizing the army’s caution against allowing individuals to enter the area and risk being mistaken for hostile elements or shot.

“When we finish the cordon and search operations (which is searching every nook and cranny within the community); because we know they have a lot of weapons bought from crude oil theft.

“During the disarmament exercise that was conducted, a lot of them didn’t hand over their weapons. And also, due to closeness to reviverine areas with other countries, they’ve found ways to bring in weapons.
“Their access to weapons made them able to perpetrate the crime. It’s for us to thoroughly clean the community to ensure no weapons or explosives are left behind and no one is hiding.

“At the end of it (cordon-and-search), the communities will go back and rebuild. We’re working together with the community; nobody is doing anything to infringe on their rights. Also, since it’s an ongoing operation, we wouldn’t want them to come in and be shot or mistaken for antagonists. We’re duty-bound to protect them. As soon as we’re done with the cordon-and-search, they’ll go back.

“Those communities (residents) know the criminals. And some of them benefit from these acts of criminality. If they say they don’t know them or are not aware of them, they’re far from the truth. Investigations will unravel this. The cordon-and-search is temporary and will be over soon.”