Okuama: We Are In The Bush Here, Today, Because One Ijaw Man Brought Soldiers To Our Town–According to Refugee Bernard Michae

Refugee Bernard Michael from Delta State’s Okuama Forest refuted claims that his community engaged in oil bunkering, highlighting the group’s emphasis on agriculture. The father of six, Michael, denied allegations that people in Okuama are involved in illicit oil activities in an interview with Vanguard. He said that the majority of the community is made up of farmers. He claimed they were pushed into hiding in the forest by recent events, including an attack that claimed the lives of seventeen military people. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

Michael recounted an incident where soldiers allegedly arrived in Okuama and demanded to take their community chairman, triggering chaos. He claimed that the soldiers opened fire when the women resisted, causing panic among the people. According to Michael, subsequent attacks by assailants further escalated the situation. He adamantly denied any involvement in oil bunkering, challenging the government to thoroughly investigate their land, insisting they would find no evidence to support such claims.

According to Vanguard, Michael said, “We are in the bush here, today, because one Ijaw man brought soldiers to our town when I was on my farm.

“So I came home, they were asking after our chairman. The chairman then came from the farm and we entertained them and they said they came for peace.

“However, later, they insisted that they would go with the chairman. The women refused, and soldiers started shooting and people scattered.

“Some boats later came to attack the soldiers and our people. It is a lie that we have oil in our community. We do not do bunkering.

“If the government uses every piece of equipment to dig our ground, they cannot see anything concerning oil bunkering. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>