New tragedy recorded in southern Nigeria, where at least 16 soldiers, including four officers, lost their lives during clashes between two communities. The incident took place in Bomadi council area of Delta State, where the soldiers, sent to maintain peace, were trapped by youths of the community and killed.
According to Defense Headquarters spokesperson Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the victims included the commander, two majors, a captain and 12 soldiers. Arrests have been made in connection with the attack, which is currently the subject of a military investigation.
Local media reported that this conflict in Delta State stems from a land dispute between the communities of Okuama and Okoloba, which led to the kidnapping of a man. The soldiers had tried in vain to negotiate his release.
Nigerian soldiers, mainly deployed for special security operations across the country, are sometimes mobilized to resolve community conflicts, particularly in areas where clashes are frequent and security presence is insufficient.