Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Wednesday, explained why residents of Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have yet to return to their homes.
On March 14, some residents of the Okuama community allegedly ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers.
The troops were reportedly attacked while responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta.
Musa, while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme, explained that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and residents of Okuama where the attack took place have no access to the community because the security agencies were carrying out a “cordon and search” operation in the area.
The CDS added that the Nigerian Army was not taking laws into its own hands by declaring wanted some persons over the killing of the officers.
He added, “We are currently conducting a cordon and search in the community. Cordon and search operation means we are searching every nook and cranny within the community because they have a lot of illegal funds from crude oil theft. They have bought a lot of weapons.
“It is for us to thoroughly clean the community to ensure that no weapon, no explosive is left in the community. I can tell you at the end of the operation, residents of the community will always go back.”
On Thursday last week, the slain soldiers were buried in Abuja.