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Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, have condemned the killing of the soldiers, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
Atiku said: “The brutal killing of over a dozen Nigerian soldiers in Okuama in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okolaba in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State stands condemned. There can never be a justification for a premeditated killing of soldiers on a legitimate assignment.
“Even as we grieve the loss of these soldiers, who are not only Nigerians but have families and dependants, I urge restraint by the military authorities in its response. I would recommend that the culprits be arrested and prosecuted.”
On his part, Obi said such killings should not be tolerated by Nigerians and any sane society. He said for a nation already combatting a high level of insecurity, the killing of security personnel, who put their lives on the line for the security of the nation, will be too much of a burden to bear.
He said: “Just last week, several policemen were reportedly killed while on duty in Delta State. We were still recovering from the shock over such a sad occurrence when, yesterday, we were besieged with the gory reports of the killing of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, also in Delta State. In both sad incidents, the dead security personnel were on active duties of securing and keeping peace within our communities, state and country before their unfortunate end, even by the people they were trying to help.
“This killing is barbaric and totally unacceptable and should not be tolerated by Nigerians and any sane society. For a nation already combatting a high level of insecurity, the killing of our security personnel, who put their lives on the line for the security of the nation, will be too much of a burden to bear. These sad occurrences and many cases of killing, kidnappings and violent crimes around the country, have continued to fuel very deep concerns over the security of the nation.
“These security operatives are making a lot of sacrifices in their line of duty, and in some cases pay the supreme price. We must, therefore, appreciate and value them by showing empathy towards them and ensuring healthcare for those who are wounded. There should be adequate compensation and welfare packages for the families of those who die in active service.
All of us should always show our love by commiserating with their families and even visiting them in such difficult times.
“I sincerely condole with the families of the security personnel that died, and their security formations (Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force respectively) over the sad loss of their personnel. I encourage them not to be dispirited by these ugly developments, but see it as a challenge to increase their efforts in their duties. I urge the government and the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in investigating, arresting and prosecuting those behind these ugly acts. May God grant eternal rest to all the security officers who have lost their lives fighting for the peace and security of our nation. May God grant all of us the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss.”
The Senate, in a statement, yesterday, said the culprits must be made to face the full consequences of their actions.
In the statement signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, the Senate noted that the sacrifices made by the Commanding Officer, three officers, and 12 soldiers during the distressing incident shall forever be remembered.
“On behalf of the 10th Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army and officers and men of Operation Delta Safe on the tragic loss of our gallant personnel who were mercilessly killed by some youths during a peace mission to the Okuoma Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
“The sacrifices made by the Commanding Officer, three officers, and 12 soldiers during this distressing incident shall forever be remembered. Their bravery and commitment exemplify the highest virtue of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice, and their legacy will forever inspire us all.
“I wish to commend the swift response of the Chief of Defence Staff in directing an immediate investigation to apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime. It is crucial that justice is served and those behind this criminal act are brought to account for their actions. The Nigerian Army’s unwavering focus on upholding peace and security in our nation is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our Armed Forces.
“The Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army stands resolutely alongside the Defence Headquarters and the Nigerian Army in seeking justice for the fallen heroes. We shall spare no effort in supporting the necessary investigations and legal processes to ensure that those responsible for this crime face the full consequences of their actions.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the families of the fallen heroes, and the entire Armed Forces as we honour the sacrifice and service of our brave personnel,” the statement read.
National Leader, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, in a statement he personally signed, described the news as shocking. He said he was personally pained by the fact that the incident occurred barely two days after he had spoken with the Commander, 181 Battalion, in connection with preparations for the burial of his younger brother, Colonel Bernard Clark (retired), who was buried just last Friday.
He 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. May their souls rest in peace.”
The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, described the act as “callous and inhumane”
In a statement in Warri, yesterday, Onowakpo, called for a thorough investigation into the remote causes of the crisis that led to the unwarranted killing of innocent soldiers and emphasised on the need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.
Member, House of Representatives, representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, Nicolas Mutu, also described the act as barbaric and demonic. Mutu lamented the senseless and most gruesome act carried out by the irate Urhobo youths. He challenged all relevant security agencies to work round the clock to fish out the killers and bring them to justice, warning that none of the criminals involved in the dastardly act must escape justice, in order to serve as deterrent to those who may be planning to indulge in such heinous crime in the future.
The lawmaker, however, frowned at distortion of facts of the incident in a section of the media which linked the fate of the soldiers to Ijaw militias in Okoloba, an Ijaw community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state.
“This is far from the truth of the incident. The Ijaw is not in any way linked or connected to this unjustifiable barbaric and inhuman and condemnable act. The facts of the matter are with all appropriate security agencies, and they are in fact in public domain. The indigenous people of Okuama are responsible for these senseless killings”.
