The military high command on the trail of the killers of four officers and 13 soldiers in Delta State has relaxed the siege to Okuama and Okoloba communities, creating opportunities for some indigenes to return to their ancestral homes.

This is just as the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has condemned the killing of army officers and soldiers at Okuama community, and urged the Presidency and the Nigerian Army to open all access to the affected communities for the uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads.

However, in a renewed bid to rein in terrorists across the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released pictures of 97 terrorists and armed bandits declared wanted in the country, promising that their banner will also be displayed across the country, just as the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri on Friday rescued 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists in Borno State.

Troops of the Nigerian Army also rescued 16 school children abducted in Gada LGA of Sokoto State by terrorists.

Security sources told THISDAY yesterday that the heavy presence of operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named ‘Operation Safe Delta’ in the affected communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State has been scaled down to create a conducive atmosphere for the people to return home.

“The number of military personnel deployed to those communities has been reduced drastically since there is no reason for them to continue the siege.

“The attention of the soldiers is now focused on the Ughoroturo community and its environment in search of the killers of the officers and soldiers. The ringleader of the killer gang has been traced to that community,” one of the security sources told THISDAY.

Another security source disclosed that most of the returning villagers were women, and the elderly while male youths of the communities were still afraid for fear of the unknown.

“Most of the people returning home are mainly women and the elderly. Nobody is harassing them. Though socio-economic activities are yet to pick up, with time things will improve,” the source said.

He said contrary to social media reports, many houses were still untouched in the two communities, stressing that the buildings that were touched were mainly those linked with the suspected killers.

“Contrary to social media reports and analysis on broadcast media, many buildings are still standing in the affected communities. The communities were not razed down as being insinuated. At the appropriate time, the military will open the places for the media to visit and assess what’s on the ground,” he added.

Delta Peace Council Deplores Killings, Urges Army, Presidency to Open Access to Communities

In a related development, the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has condemned the killing of army officers and soldiers in the Okuama community.

The council, at its meeting held in Asaba, and presided over by its Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, also expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army authority, the presidency, the families of the dead officers and soldiers, and the government of Delta State for the very unnecessary colossal loss of lives.

In its resolution at the end of the meeting, the DSA & PBC commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his timely responses to what it termed a very sad, complex, and sorrowful situation.

In the resolution signed by Oyovbaire, the DSA & PBC said: “As an institution with excellent credentials of advocacy, commitment, and activism for the promotion, sustenance, and advancement of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, council re-affirms its dedication to the course and quick process of return to peace and stable livelihood in Okuama and all other communities affected by this unfortunate development.

“Council empathised very strongly with the people of Okuama and all our other communities in Delta and Bayelsa states the unfortunate and horrible experiences of suffering and losses.”

“The council urged relevant authorities to fish out the masterminds of the heinous crime to bring them to justice.

It said: “The perpetrators of the criminally bestial killing of the Army officers and soldiers must be apprehended and be duly prosecuted. There must be no hiding locations for these criminals.

“In the meantime, the council calls upon the relevant authorities, especially the Nigerian Army and the presidency to open up all access to the affected communities for uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads for fear of further afflictions.

“The siege to the communities should be dismantled to also facilitate independent observations, investigations, and provision of humanitarian assistance to the needy dwellers for peaceful livelihood,” he explained.

DHQ Releases Pictures of 97 Wanted Terrorists

Meanwhile, in a renewed bid to rein in terrorists across the country, the DHQ has released pictures of 97 terrorists and armed bandits declared wanted in the country.

The military high command, in a war update issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the wanted persons include terrorists, insurgents, and armed bandits among others, who are behind violent crimes in the country.

They include the factional leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa.

A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in the North-west zone ravaged by banditry. They are Alhaji Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, Boka, Dogo Gide, Halilu Sububu, Ado Aliero, Bello Turji, Dan Bokkolo, Labi Yadi, Nagala, Saidu Idris, Kachalla Rugga and Sani Gurgu.

In the North-east where terror groups, Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operate, 33 persons were declared wanted.

They include: Abu Zaida, Modu Sulum, Baba Data, Ahmad, Sani Teacher, Baa Sadiq, Abdul Saad, Kaka Abij Mohammad Khalifa, Umar Tella, Abu Mutahid, Mallam Mohammad, Mallam Tahiru Baga, Uzaiya and Ali Ngule.

Also, a total of 21 insurgents and violent criminals were declared wanted in the South-east and North-central.

They are Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede, Zuma, ThankGod, Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka, Friday Ojimka, Obiemesi Chukwudi a.k.a Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube and Amobi Chinonso Okafor a.ka. Temple, among others.

“Indeed, to curb the freedom of action of terrorists and the perpetrators of insecurity across the country. The military has released a banner of wanted terrorists and their cohorts.

“The banners would be deployed in strategic areas across the country. The deployment of the banner is for ease of recognition and arrest of the wanted persons,” the statement further said.

A separate statement issued by Army Spokesman, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops rescued 16 abducted school children in Sokoto and 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists in the North-east, even as the manhunt for the killers of 18 military personnel by militants in Delta State was being intensified. (THISDAY)

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