Bayelsa communities are currently gripped by fear following the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) declaration of eight individuals as wanted suspects in connection with the killing of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Okuoma, located in the Ughelli South local government area of Delta State. The DHQ made this announcement via its official channel on X, accompanied by photographs of the suspects. The DHQ emphasized the urgency of the matter by stating, “ATTENTION!!! The following persons are hereby declared wanted.”
In response to the incident, Nigerian Army soldiers launched a search operation in Igbomotoru, an Ijaw community in Bayelsa State, to apprehend the alleged ringleader, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Okuoma, where the violence occurred, is believed to be the suspect’s maternal community. Despite the suspect fleeing the area prior to the troops’ arrival, the military operation resulted in significant loss of life and property, with at least 11 community members feared dead.
The wanted suspect is reportedly linked to the recent gubernatorial election in the state, particularly in support of Governor Douye Diri’s campaign and reelection. Authorities have been closely monitoring individuals associated with the suspect, including Mr. Lucky Okodeh, who serves as the chairman of Southern Ijaw local government area and is a relative of the wanted individual, in hopes of obtaining information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
