Following the controversy which has trailed the killing of 17 Nigerian soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State on March 14, photos of the residents who fled to the forest have surfaced online.
On March 14, the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 other soldiers were ambushed and killed during a peacekeeping mission in Okuama community, in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
After the gruesome k!llings, some residents of the community alleged that the soldiers attacked the community, and that several people were k!lled and some houses destroyed. They also alleged that some of the residents, including women and children, were still hiding in the forest without access to food and water.
The Nigerian Army said that they have identified a militant leader, Endurance Amagbein, as the suspect who masterminded the k!lling of the soldiers, yet the residents are still hiding in the forest as the Army continues hunting for the k!llers.
There have been calls from some concerned people on the Nigerian Army to allow access into the community so that food aid can be taken to the people who are reportedly suffering from hunger and starvation.
Sharing the photos on Saturday, Vanguard reported that the residents are living in the forest far from home.
The photos have been attracting mixed reactions from members of the public, with some people saying that it is very bad for innocent citizens to be punished for the crime that was committed by a few persons.