The soldiers were on a mission to halt clashes between two communities in the Bomadi region of Nigeria. Sadly, sixteen soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion were killed during the operation. The troops had responded to the conflict in the Okuoma community when they were ambushed on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and twelve soldiers.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, spokesperson for the army, announced that the chief of defence has ordered an immediate investigation and the arrest of those responsible for the attack. While some arrests have been made, authorities are working to determine the motives behind the violence.
The Bomadi region, like many areas in Delta state, experiences frequent clashes over land disputes and compensation for oil spills by energy companies. Additionally, conflict persists in Nigeria’s northern and central regions, where armed groups are active and government forces have been accused of human rights abuses.
Earlier this year, at least 30 individuals were killed in renewed violence in Plateau State, located in the Middle Belt region. The area is known for tensions between Muslim herders and Christian farming communities, leading to ongoing inter-communal violence. These conflicts are often fueled by competition for land, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and population growth in the region.