Residents of Okuama community, Ewu Kingdom, in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State who have fled their homes for fear of reprisal attacks have lamented their plight. Saying they are currently experiencing starvation and lack of amenities to alleviate the situation since the killing of 17 military personnel in their community on Thursday, 14 March.
Scores of women and children are now stranded in the forests.
Also, in the coastal town of Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, the siege imposed by troops on the hunt for a militant leader suspected to have masterminded the killings is tilting the community towards starvation—potentially triggering a humanitarian crisis of significant proportions.
Some days ago, the Okuama women cried out that they fled into the forests when soldiers allegedly opened fire on the villagers in the town hall after the community refused their attempt to take away the community leaders.
As of yesterday, Okuama is out of bounds as only the military is allowed access. The area is deserted, the state governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori confirmed he could not visit the place because of the situation.
More so, neighbouring communities to the abandoned Okuama have refused to grant shelter to the fleeing residents for fear of reprisals by soldiers in an aggressive search for the perpetrators.
