Condemnations Greet Killing of Soldiers and Reprisal Attacks on Community in Delta State

Condemnations Greet Killing of Soldiers and Reprisal Attacks on Community in Delta State

There is tension in Okuoma community, Ughelli South Local Government Area where 16 military personnel were killed on Thursday and a reprisal attack by the military on Sunday led to several buildings being razed and multiple arrests made. But President Bola Tinubu has vowed not to let those responsible for the deaths of the Nigerian

There is tension in Okuoma community, Ughelli South Local Government Area where 16 military personnel were killed on Thursday and a reprisal attack by the military on Sunday led to several buildings being razed and multiple arrests made. But President Bola Tinubu has vowed not to let those responsible for the deaths of the Nigerian Army operatives go unpunished.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has condemned the killing of the officers and soldiers attached to 181 Amphibious Batallion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State and condoled with the military and families of the deceased.

Defence Headquarters has confirmed that a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers were killed by youths during a peace mission in the Okuoma community of Delta state.

In an apparent retaliatory move, it has been alleged that the military invaded Okuama community and descended on its citizens, killing women and children and razing every building in the community.

Worried by the killing of officers and men of the military, the President in a statement personally signed by him and released on Sunday described the heinous ambush as an unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people that resulted in the unnecessary death of brave soldiers.

The President also stated that he has already given the army headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff full authority to bring to justice anyone found to be responsible for the ambush, citing it as one of the ways to restore peace and security to the country.

The statement partly reads: “As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.

“I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.

“This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage, and uncommon grit and patriotism.

“As a nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our nation safe, strong, and united. The officers and men who died in Okuama community have joined the pantheon of great men and women who gave their all, with honour, in the service of our fatherland.

“Members of our armed forces are at the heart and core of our nationhood. Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act.

“The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.

“My government will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep members of our armed forces safe”.

Earlier, the Delta state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, also condemned the ambush against the military as an alien act to the values and peaceful conduct the state is promoting.

The Governor also added that he would cooperate with the military to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.

The Government of Delta State is gravely disturbed by the violence and unprovoked killing of the officers and soldiers, which he described as alien to the culture of Deltans.

“This incident is despicable and not in sync with the culture and tradition of Deltans. It runs contrary to the values and path of peace that the State Government is promoting, as I have always emphasized in our MORE agenda to enhance peace and security.

“The state government shall take all measures necessary to fish out all those behind this dastardly act and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Delta State is governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency. Acts such as this incident cannot and will not be tolerated.

The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has called for a thorough investigation into the murder of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The lawmaker, in a statement on Sunday in Warri, condemned the act and described it as “a crisis taken too far”. While it is unclear how the military will bring the perpetrators to justice, there is an alleged report that many houses are on fire in the community where the incident occurred.

He called for a holistic investigation to unearth the remote causes of the crisis and urged both the state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent it from escalating. “There is a need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana has urged the federal government to prohibit any form of reprisal attack on residents by military personnel who may want to lash out.

He also urged the military to halt the destruction of innocent people’s property in the incident’s hot zone, stating that such an act violates both local and international law.

“Having regard to the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over the killing of soldiers, the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected villages.

“Given the tragic turn of events, I call on the military authorities to halt the destruction of the properties of innocent people in the warring communities. It ought to be pointed out that collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.”

“Therefore, the Delta State Government should ensure that the murder suspects and arsonists among the civilians and soldiers are fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in society.

The military is also being accused of a double standard in the way it has responded to the killing of its men in Okuoma Delta state. Social media is awash with comparisons of what happened in Okuoma to what happened recently in Shiroro, Niger State, where 36 military officers were killed and a helicopter was brought down and there were no reprisal attacks from the military.

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