The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, said he does not believe that Nigerians were involved in the killing of troops soldiers in Delta state.
Speaking during a debate on two merged motions by Senators Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, APC, Katsina Central, and Edeh Dafinone, APC, Delta Central, Akpabio opined that those who killed the Nigerian troops may be mercenaries.
He said, “We are not at war. I don’t think they are from the Niger Delta. They may be mercenaries.”
Okuama and Okoloba communities have been in dispute over the ownership of a controversial land lying on their border since January, and the crisis between them has led to the killing of many people, including children.
When another fight broke out on Thursday, March 14, the Nigerian Army deployed soldiers for a peacekeeping mission to the communities. The soldiers were, however, gruesomely murdered, leading to public outrage.
READ ALSO DHQ releases names of soldiers killed in Okuama community [PHOTOS]
Meanwhile, communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi local government areas have been taken over by troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, who also oversee the 63 brigade in Asaba. While there have been videos of houses being razed on Sunday morning, it is not clear yet if it was soldiers on a revenge mission who razed houses, but many residents have abandoned their homes.
In his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, Tinubu said the cowardly offenders responsible for the heinous crime will not go unpunished.
The Defence Headquarters, days after the gruesome murder, had said 17 personnel including the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 12 personnel of the battalion, released the names of the soldiers.
“May The Souls of the Departed Rest In Peace,” the Nigerian Army wrote on its X handle alongside a photo collage of the personnel on Monday evening.
