……….. to probes killing of the soldiers, rejects one-minute silence for deceased Okuama community
By Fatima Saka
The Senate on Tuesday urged Committees on Army, Defence, Air Force and Navy to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings of 17 Nigeria soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State, saying that everyone involved in the killings will be condemned.
The Senate added the killing of soldiers is unacceptable,
Senate also refused to observe a minute of silence in honour of those whose lives were lost in the attack on the ground that the investigation is still ongoing.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the resolutions after a majority of the senators supported them through voice votes during the plenary.
The resolution was a sequel to a motion sponsored by Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC, Katsina Central).
Military authorities earlier said the slain soldiers were killed last Thursday while on a mission to maintain peace between two warring communities: Okuama in Bomadi Local Government Area and Okoloba in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mr Yar’adua, who is also the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Army, while presenting his motion, called for an urgent investigation into the killing.
He described the killing as a threat to the national security and stability of the country.
“The recent tragic incident in Okuama Community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, on Thursday, 14th March 2024, resulting in the loss of a Commanding Officer, 2 Majors, a Captain, and 12 soldiers during a peace mission, highlights a serious threat to national security and stability of the nation.
“Troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.
“The tragic incident involving the attack on military personnel from the 181 Amphibious Battalion during a peace mission to the Okuama community in Delta State underscores the urgent need for justice and accountability without resorting to retribution” he said.
Mr Yar’adua said he is “worried that the understaffing of the Nigeria Police has made Nigeria’s military take over internal policing duties such as organized crime, oil theft, communal crisis, kidnapping, banditry and other policing responsibilities.”
He, therefore, called on the federal government to ensure that the culprits are identified and prosecuted through a fair and transparent legal process.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibirin, condemned the incident, describing it as inhuman.
Edeh Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), who seconded the motion, consoled the Nigerian military command and the families of the slain soldiers over the unfortunate incident.
However, one minute of silence was observed in honor of the 17 deceased.
