Okuama Killing: Avoid repetition of Odi treatment in fishing out killers of soldiers, NANS begs Army headquarters

Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the leadership of the Nigeria Army to avoid repetition of the November 1999 Odi response in responding to the attack and gruesome killing of 16 officers and soldiers by armed youths in Okuoma community in Delta State.

NANS in a statement on Tuesday by its President, Pedro Obi, copies made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, condemned the murder of the military personnel, but called for caution on the part of the army in an attempt to apprehend people behind the dastardly act.

He stressed that premeditated response of razing a whole community because of a nefarious act carried out by some reckless elements in the community must be avoided.

While describing the incident as the “most unfortunate”, Obi pointed out that the incident has not just tested the will of the Armed Forces but also put to test the response level of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

NANS, therefore, called on the president to direct the police as it is their legal duty to conduct a thorough investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the brutal attack which led to the murder of 16 officers and soldiers.

“We condemn the killing of 16 soldiers who were on a peacekeeping mission in some communities of Delta State. The incident is most unfortunate and condemnable. In fact, it portrays barbarism.

“We believe that no matter what, members of the Armed Forces deserve equal respect as civilians. Hence, no attack, not even in that coordinated manner should have occurred.

“This unfortunate incident has not just tested the will of the Armed Forces but also put to rest the response level of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“We therefore call on the President to direct the Police as it is their legal duty to conduct a thorough investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the brutal attack which led to the murder of 16 army officers.

“The Army is therefore called upon to avoid a repetition of the November 1999 Odi response which led to the total wreckage of Odi town. The premeditated response of razing a whole community because of a nefarious act carried out by some reckless elements in the community must be avoided”.