The Nigerian military has rejected allegations of launching a retaliatory assault on the Okuoma community in Delta state, where 16 of its personnel were killed by youths from the community over the weekend.
General Christopher Musa, the Defence chief, refuted claims of military involvement in an attack on the community, stating in a response to Reuters that, “No reprisals by the army. We are searching for the murderers and their weapon cache.”
Reports emerged from some Nigerians alleging that individuals in army attire pillaged and set fire to homes in the community on Sunday, March 17, following the killings of the officers by youths.
The 16 soldiers were deployed to the community to address a land dispute. On Sunday, a video circulated showing houses ablaze in the community, with assertions that they were torched by certain military personnel.
