Troops of the Nigerian Army, investigating the killing of 17 military personnel on March 14 in Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, reportedly raided Olota community and took away over 10 individuals. Witnesses claimed the soldiers arrived in three gunboats, seizing the community chairman, Matthew Olokpa, and others. They also allegedly burned houses and confiscated speedboats from the jetty.
The Board of Inquiry set up by Defence Headquarters to probe the March 14 incident faced criticism from Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and retired judges. They argued that the correct approach would have been to establish a judicial commission of inquiry or delegate the task to the Delta State government. The military panel, led by Air Vice-Marshal David Ajayi, faced resistance from the Okuama community, which cited ongoing Army operations causing residents to hide in the forests.
Six representatives from Okoloba community appeared before the board of inquiry, while journalists were barred from covering the proceedings. Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, among others, stated that the Chief of Defence Staff lacked the authority to initiate a public inquiry into the Okuama incident. They called for either federal or state government intervention to conduct a fair investigation.
