Manhunt for head of vigilante in Okuama community begins

The Delta State Command of the Nigerian Police in conjunction with the Nigerian Army has declared the head of the local vigilante in Okuoma in Delta State wanted over their alleged roles in the gruesome killings of over 17 military personnel on March 14th.

Odom Okechukwu is a leader of a local vigilante network in Okuoma in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State responsible for restoring peace and security in the highly volatile community .

Recall that on March 14th 2024 17 military personel of the 181 amphibious batallion of the Nigerian Army on peace mission were gruesomely attacked and murdered by fleeing irate youths angered over the recent demolition of illegal refineries in the community.

However, it was gathered that the army personnel were responding to a distress call over clashes between Urhobo and Okuoma communities over land disputes on March 14th 2024 when 17 senior army personnel and soldiers comprising 2 army majors, a captain and 14 soldiers on a peace mission in Okuoma commuinty were ambushed and killed causing a national outcry over the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the South-South region and other parts of the country.

A statement signed and released by the Command stated that all activities of local vigilantes in the community have been put on hold indefinitely while a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime against the state has commenced.

It further stated that one Odom Okechukwu leader and other members of a local vigilante network in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State have been declared wanted adding that useful information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing Odom Okechukwu should be forwarded to the command .

Meanwhile, the residents of Okuoma community have all fled for fear of possible retalliatory attacks by the military in response to murder of 17 officers as the residence of the fleeing Odom Okechukwu was also razed down.

Efforts to speak with his immediate family was unsuccesful as the whereabouts of his wife and children remain unknown in the community.