“The killing of these Army Officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to us and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Army Staff because I was in Abuja. I came back and issued a press statement.
Browsing: Delta state
The gang leader, who claimed that his father, a retired Nigerian Army Captain, died last year, said the soldiers earlier came and took away some people and allegedly killed them, only to come back to arrest Okuama community leaders.
“The Nigerian government must constitute a panel of inquiries to unravel the truth behind the military genocide against the Okuama Community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State,” the statement reads.
“The Commission calls on the authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the soldiers and apprehend the perpetrators with the view to bringing them to justice.
The discussion of this tragedy must, therefore, be imbued with a good sense of humanity especially in the media. The tragic story should not be told in a manner that could inflame passion. The headlines must not be disrespectful of the dead. The sensibilities of the bereaved families, friends and colleagues of the fallen heroes should be well considered in the way the bloodletting is reported.
“They (the soldiers) killed over 20 of our fellow residents. Some of our buildings were razed. Many residents have fled and there are even dead bodies in the bush where we have been hiding. We want the government to come to our rescue.”
He said, “We are not at war. I don’t think they are from the Niger Delta. They may be mercenaries.”
The DHQ, 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 were among those killed.
The Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where 16 soldiers were killed has been razed.
“A group of young individuals attacked and fatally injured 16 officers and soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army who were on a peacekeeping assignment in the Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta on Thursday.