16 Nigerian soldiers killed in effort to quell community clashes in Delta State

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Sixteen Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during a mission aimed at quelling clashes between two communities in the southern state of Delta, as confirmed by an army spokesperson.

According to Brigadier General Tukur Gusau’s statement on Saturday, the soldiers, belonging to the 181 Amphibious Battalion stationed in the Bomadi region, were responding to the conflict in the Okuoma community when they were met with fatal resistance.

Gusau detailed that not only were the initial responding troops attacked, but also a reinforcement team led by the commanding officer, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. Among the casualties were the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and twelve soldiers.

“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers,” he said.

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In response to the incident, the chief of defence has ordered an immediate investigation and the apprehension of those responsible, Gusau mentioned.

He further stated that while some arrests have been made, efforts are ongoing to uncover the motives behind the attack.

“So far, a few arrests have been made while steps [are] in place to unravel the motive behind the attack,” he added.

The Delta state frequently experiences clashes, often fatal, arising from disputes over land or compensation for oil spills attributed to energy companies operating in the region.

Additionally, Nigeria’s northern and central regions continue to be plagued by conflict, with armed groups active and accusations leveled against government forces for alleged abuses.

Earlier this year, renewed violence in Nigeria’s central Plateau State claimed the lives of at least 30 individuals, reflecting the longstanding clashes between Muslim herders and Christian farming communities.

Plateau State occupies a significant position in Nigeria’s geographic and religious landscape, situated in the Middle Belt—a region often viewed as the demarcation between the predominantly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.

Inter-communal violence, such as that between the Muslim herders and Christian farmers, remains a recurrent issue in the area, which is home to numerous ethnic minorities, including the Mwaghavul.

These clashes, not only in the Middle Belt but also in the northwest, stem from underlying tensions over land between nomadic herders and indigenous farmers, exacerbated by the impact of climate change and population growth in the region.