Ijaw elders seek justice for slain military men

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Ijaw Elders Forum- Lagos (IEF) has expressed concerns about the recent killing of 17 military personnel at Okuama in Delta State and the ongoing military crackdown in search of the masterminds.

The IEF, in a statement on Saturday, 6 April 2024, noted that the attack on the military was unacceptable and demanded the isolation and apprehension of the culprits to face the law.

The IEF made its position known in the statement endorsed by Chief Bukazi Etete and Mr Efiye Bribena Chairman and Secretary of IEF, respectively.

“We condemn in solid terms the killing of military personnel in Okuama community and call on the authorities to leave no stone unturned to investigate and bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice. This should be done concerning relevant laws, swiftly and equitably.

“IEF observes with dismay the invasion and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Okuama, Delta and Igbomatoru, Bayelsa by the military. We call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring to justice all those responsible for the killings and destruction of properties in both communities.

“The military has a constitutional role in protecting citizens and must respect the rules of engagement when dealing with civilians. It is therefore considered unbecoming for our respected military to be associated with acts of genocide especially within our communities and country,” the IEF statement read in part.

The elders and the military authorities to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of the death of the military personnel at Okuama and other communities including collateral damages that followed the unfortunate incident.

IEF regretted that communities and individuals settling personal, inter and intra-community disputes with the use of force and called on leaders and well-meaning individuals of every community in the region to explore means of settling disputes without recourse to the use of violence.

“We call on all parties to avoid statements and actions that further inflame the situation. Caution and discretion should be exercised by all parties making statements and reporting on these incidents. Speculative reports should be avoided at this time as it may compromise the integrity and quality of the investigation,” IEF stated.

The IEF also frowned at the invasion of the country home of the respected national leader of the Ijaw nation and the South-South region, Chief EK Clark, by the military.

“We find the invasion of the country home of the 97-year-old leader unacceptable and request an explanation or an unreserved apology from the military authorities to the revered leader and the Ijaw Nation.

“We call on the authorities to adequately compensate all individuals, military and civilians, families and communities who have been impacted by these evil activities of non-state actors and the military,” the Ijaw Elders demanded.