Okuama military killings: Crisis taken too far – Thomas

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District has called for an in-depth investigation into the alleged murder of 16 soldiers in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

The lawmaker in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Warri also condemned the gruesome murder of the military personnel, and described the act as a “crisis taken too far”.

He noted that the military operatives were on peace mission to rescue one Mr Anthony Aboh who was allegedly kidnapped by the Okuama Community.

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence commiserated with the military authority and the families of the slain soldiers.

He sympathized with the families of those who may have lost their loved ones as a result of the crisis.

While calling for a holistic investigation to unearth the remote causes of the crisis, the senator urged both the State and Federal Governments to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation.

“There is need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.

“There is also the need for the military to tactically deploy intelligence in the pursuit of the masterminds to avoid killing innocent people in the Okuama community.

“I commiserate with the military authority, families of the slain soldiers as well as others who may have loved ones in the crisis.

“I urged the people of Okuama Community to assist the military to fish out the killers of the gallant soldiers,” Thomas said.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Army in a statement issued on Saturday by Brig.-Gen Tukur Gusau, Acting Director, Defence Information, confirmed the death of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers.

He said that the troops were from the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi LGA adding that they were on a peace mission to Okuama Community in Ughelli South LGA when the unfortunate happened.

According to Gusau, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of the perpetrators adding that a few arrests have been made while efforts was ongoing to unravel the motive behind the attack.

“The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba Communities both in Delta.

“The reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers,” he said.