The Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has been set ablaze following the killing of 16 military personnel.
Although it is not clear how the fire started, reports say soldiers have been patrolling the area since the killing of their colleagues.
Residents of the coastal community have reportedly fled for fear of reprisal by soldiers.
Some arrests have been made by soldiers led by the general officer commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam.
QEDNG reported earlier that one commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers were killed on Thursday, March 14 when they responded to a distress call following communal crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
Acting director of Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said in a statement on Saturday that the victims were troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” the statement read.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.”
The defence spokesman said the incident was reported to the Delta State Government.
Gusau added that the Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa had ordered a probe into the incident.
