General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), stated that Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, where 17 military personnel were killed last month, is believed to possess significant weaponry and illicit funds obtained from crude oil theft.
Musa made these remarks during an interview on the Arise TV Morning Show programme on Wednesday, elaborating on the ongoing cordon-and-search operation in the area.
He clarified that neither Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori nor local residents have access to the community due to the current military operation prompted by the attack on military personnel by enraged youths.
He said, “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,” he said.