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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The member of the House of Representatives representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Rodney Ambaiowei, has urged the military to exercise caution in its operation to fish out those behind the killing of 16 soldiers in Okuama, in Delta State.
Ambaiowei, who stated this, at a press briefing, in Abuja, said this is necessary to minimise collateral damage to innocent and law-abiding citizens, especially against the backdrop of “the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, November 1999 following the killing of some soldiers and policemen.”
The lawmaker, while condemning the killing of military personnel, including four officers and 12 soldiers, expressed support for the quest of the government to bring the perpetrators to book.
According to him, “there is no gainsaying that the gruesome and unprovoked murder of sixteen officers and men of the Nigerian army consisting of a Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, a captain and twelve other men of the military by criminals in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is one of the worse things to have happened to our gallant soldiers in recent history. “
He expressed dismay that the crisis has “spilled into Igbomotoru, a hitherto peaceful community in my federal constituency, Southern Ijaw which is more than one hundred and fifty nautical kilometres from Okuama and in less than twenty-four hours spilled into Igbomotoru in my Federal Constituency.
“This led to the invasion of the once serene community by men said to be of the military in search of the perpetrators of the heinous crime at Okuama. The aftermath of the invasion was the destruction and killing of some innocent and peace-loving citizens of Igbomotoru community which is rather unfortunate and saddening..
“I am aware that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to gather intelligence within a short period. The execution of such intelligence reports should be done with utmost caution to minimise collateral damage to innocent and law-abiding citizens.
“I say this, bearing in mind the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, in November 1999 following the killing of some soldiers and policemen which remains fresh in our memories. Caution and professionalism must be the watch word to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book. “
