President Bola Tinubu has directed that the killers of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, must be brought to justice. This was released in a statement signed by the president yesterday describing the killing as “unprovoked” expressed “profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.” This followed the incident where 16 military personnel on duty were attacked and killed at one Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state last week.
The president also extended his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, their colleagues and their loved ones, saying, “The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.”
Tinubu in his statement said, “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.
The statement added, “As a nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our country 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 the 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.”
In reaction, the military has set many houses ablaze in the Okuama community in Ughelli south Local Govt Area of Delta state.
Accordingly, the military are currently patrolling the creeks after irate youths killed an Army Commander, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers, who were on a peace mission to the neighbouring Okuama community.
The deceased soldiers, were of 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta, on a peace mission to Okuama community were murdered.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had immediately directed an investigation and arrest of culpable persons involved in the heinous crime.
Although, it is unclear if the military is responsible for burning down the houses or not, but some gun boats suspected to belonging to the navy, were sighted behind the houses on fire in the coastal community.
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, had revealed that he has made some arrest of some suspects linked to the killing of troops.
Recall similar killing of security personnel had led to the invasion of Odi, a community in Bayelsa State in 1999.
Accordingly, twelve police officers were beheaded by a gang in Odi, seven on November 4, 1999, and the remainder in the days after.
In retaliation, the military invaded the village on November 20, 1999, and close to 900 civilians were reportedly killed.
Two years later, a similar incident played out in Zaki Biam, Benue State, where subsequently the military went on revenge mission where they inflicted pogrom on the village.
PANDEF Demands probe
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed shock over the incident of killing of the military officers at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, and has called for holistic investigation into the crime.
Leader of PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, in a statement yesterday said those found to be culpable in the crime should be arrested and brought to justice.
In his statement, Pa Edwin Cleark said, “This dastardly act is totally unacceptable and must be fully investigated. There must be no sacred cows, the culprits must be brought to book as early as possible.
“PANDEF mourns the slain military personnel and commiserates with all the families and the entire Nigerian Army.
“PANDEF further urges the Nigerian Army and other security personnel around the country to continue with their great national service and not to be deterred by this present sad development.”
A renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), while in commensuration with the Nigerian Army said troops should go after only those involved in the killing.
Falana, commended the military for the arrest of some of the ring leaders of the attack, urged the military to resist a repeat of the reprisal massacre of innocent civilians that happened in Odi and Zaki Biam.
Also, the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Clement O. Ikolo, while reacting in his Kingdom, said he learnt the issue between both communities had been settled.
He said: “What has happened is very sad news. First of all I would like to state clearly that when this whole crisis started between my community, Okuama and Okoloba, I was in the UK at the time; at some point early this year.
“I contacted the government regarding the crisis and the information they gave to me was that they had invited both parties to resolve the issue and that in fact it has been resolved. That’s just the summary of what I know regarding the crisis.
“It is a very sad time for our kingdom. These military men are people who are there to protect our nation, they should be held in high esteem. They are there to protect us from people who are there to invade or to commit enormous crimes.
“It is very sad that the same people who are there to protect us will be killed in the process. It is disheartening and I totally condemn it. May their souls and souls of the faithful depart through the mercy of God rest in peace.”
Also, candidate of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP , Peter Obi, through his X handle account has condemned the crime, describing killing of our soldiers as barbaric and unacceptable from anybody.