In the heart of Delta state, Nigeria, lies the once-thriving community of Okuama, an agrarian enclave, nestled in Ughelli South local government area of the oil rich state. Once a bustling hub of life and culture with the residents living a communal life, Okuama has been reduced to a ghost town, its streets deserted and buildings crumbling, a haunting testament to the devastating impact of military action.
This report explores the tragic destruction of Okuama from a vibrant community to a desolate wasteland, highlighting the harrowing consequences of armed conflict on innocent, harmless and armless civilian populations. At the time of filing this report, Okuama is a shadow of itself with residents living in deadly forests while some may have drowned in the river as they fled from fierce looking soldiers.
The seeds of Okuama’s demise were sown amidst simmering tensions between two local communities and government authorities, specifically military authorities domiciled in the Niger Delta region.
Like many communities in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, Okuama had long been plagued by disputes over land rights between the community and neighbouring Okoloba in Bomadi local government area, both in Delta state. While Okuama is Urhobo speaking in Delta central, Okoloba is Ijaw in Delta south.
As reports revealed, Okoloba and Okuama have had long disputes over land for farming, which is their major occupation. Land dispute has been one of the major causes of inter communal battles in Delta state. While it is partly reduced in Delta north, it is the major, if not the only cause of battle in Delta central and Delta south. The other cause is resource control from oil revenue. These two issues have led to multiple deaths orchestrated by heavy gunshots from warring factions.
The issue of Aladja in Udu local government area and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri south is a handy example in this matter. Also, the land boundary tussle between Oleh in Isoko south and Ozoro in Isoko North is still fresh in the mind of the people of Delta state. A number of persons were killed and the incident lingered in the hearts of the people of Oleh. But thanks to the political will of erstwhile Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who brokered peace.
The recent rise of hostility between Okuama and Okoloba began late last year, 2023. Reports filtered in that both communities were at loggerheads over land disputes. Somehow, the state government failed to speed up action, having received report of hostilities, to block the uprising as it was a small matter then, though reports alleged that Okoloba people killed some youths of Okuama in the ensuing melee.
But as grievances mounted with both parties not willing to surrender, despite signing peace accord with the state government, the stage was unknowingly getting set for a confrontation that would forever alter the fate of Okuama, a community of less than 300 inhabitants.
The catalyst for Okuama’s descent into darkness came with the arrival of military forces, ostensibly deployed by yet to be unraveled authority from Bomadi with reported mission to restore order and quell unrest.
Available reports say, they were deployed from Bomadi to Okuama to talk peace. But it was gathered that they attempted returning to Bomadi with leaders of Okuama community which the people resisted vehemently. Their resistance may not be unconnected with the fact that one cannot trust what soldiers could do with them.
Further reports say as the soldiers took leave to return to Bomadi, on the way they met death in the face. Guns were fired at them and there and then, 17 military personnel were brought down. What people are yet to understand is despite the training of soldiers, 17 of them could be killed without them killing anyone or overpowering their assailants who might have laid ambush waiting for them.
As usual, the aftermaof the death of the 17 officers made up of majors, captains and others could only be imagined. What ensued thereafter was a brutal onslaught that unleashed hell upon the unsuspecting residents of Okuama. Armed soldiers descended upon the community with impunity, unleashing destruction that left no corner untouched.
Buildings reportedly turned into rubbles as balls of fire were seen burning buildings, though the army refuted the viral video of burning structures. They argued that the viral video of burning structures happened in Bayelsa a few years back but many Nigerians have refused to agree with them. The disagreement of Nigerians is made possible with the refusal of military to allow anyone, even police, access to the Okuama community.
As the military’s assault intensified, chaos engulfed Okuama. Families fled in terror as stern looking soldiers pained with the death of their colleagues stormed the community in droves, scaring the helpless residents away.
Residents of Okuama fled the village seeking refuge in the dense forests and marshlands that surrounded the town. Homes have been reduced to rubbles, businesses looted and burnt, and lives shattered as the once-vibrant streets of Okuama descended into a scene of utter devastation.
In the wake of the military’s rampage, Okuama’s population dwindled rapidly as residents fled for their lives, leaving behind their homes, possessions, and livelihoods. The exodus of the people immediately transformed Okuama from a bustling community where residents live a communal life into a desolate ghost town, with streets eerily silent save for the occasional sound of wind whistling through the abandoned buildings.
As the dust settled and the echoes of destructiin faded away, Okuama lay in ruins, its once-proud structures reduced to rubbles and dust. The community’s infrastructure lay in tatters, its schools, and places of worship lying empty and abandoned for good. For many days now, most of the erstwhile residents are in the forests with children and parents separated as no one cared for the safety of others. While some may have navigated their ways into nearby communities, the possibility of families coming together in the meantime may be a hard nut to crack.
As at the time of filing this report, Okuama stands as a haunting reminder of the human cost of armed conflict. Its empty streets and dilapidated buildings serve as a poignant testament to the devastating impact of military action on civilian populations. The scars of massive destruction run deep in the collective memory of Okuama’s inhabitants, a painful reminder of the fragility of peace and the brutality of conflict.
Despite the overwhelming challenges they face, the people of Okuama in their hiding places and others hitherto not in the community prior to the conflict, remain resilient in the face of adversity. Urhobos both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora are working to ensure life returns again to the ghost community.
However, the road to recovery may be very long and arduous as the military are reportedly taking some decisions which may prolong return of life to Okuama.
The descent of Okuama from a vibrant community to a ghost town is a tragic tale of the devastating impact of military action on civilian populations. While waiting for the scars of the devastation to slowly fade and the wounds begin to heal, Okuama serves as a stark reminder of the enduring need for peace, justice, and reconciliation in conflict-affected regions around the world.
Only through collective action and unwavering commitment to the principles of human rights and dignity can communities like Okuama hope to overcome the legacy of violence and rebuild their lives. The military authorities should also know that it is a fundamental error to visit the sins of a few who may not even be indigenous of that community on the entire Okuama village. It is inhuman and a breach of the constitutional provision of right to life and property.
Austin Oyibode
Editor, Emerald News
