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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, has expressed grief over the horrible massacre of 16 Nigerian Army personnel who were on a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Oba sent his condolences to victims of the recent tragedy when the 4 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, paid a courtesy visit to his Palace in Benin City, Edo State.
The Benin monarch stated that there is no justification for the killings and called on Nigerians to support bereaved families of the slain personnel to overcome the grief, insisting that there is nothing to sound pedagogic about.
He also expressed his best wishes to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja for his enduring dedication to duty.
“I think the Army should be appreciated by Nigerians a lot for what they are doing. I want to quickly express our condolences to the Army on the killings that happened recently in Okuoma. It was terrible!
“We have heard different versions of what happened. Whatever story they are going to say doesn’t really justify the soldiers being killed like that.
“I think Nigerians should support the Army. The Army is seen to be disciplined. It is a Force to be reckoned with, and should not be treated anyhow”, the Oba said and prayed God and his ancestors to protect the Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agents along with their families from harm’s way.
Earlier in his remarks, the 4 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, pledged his loyalty to Oba Ewuare II for adding a touch of glamour to Royalty and solicited his blessings, prayer and cooperation.
The military officer said his prayer request was necessitated by the Command philosophy’ of the Chief of Army Staff, with highly motivated Forces that discharge its Constitutional responsibilities.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a plaque to the Royal parsonage by Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, who assumed duty at the 4 Brigade headquarters in Benin City on 12th January 2024.
