Killing of soldiers in Delta, a security sacrilege, aberration, says Oluwo
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Oluwo of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has described the killings of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army in Okuama community of Delta State as a national disaster and affront to the security outfits of Nigeria.
He commiserated with the Federal Government, the Nigerian army and the immediate family of the victims.
Oba Akanbi, in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, on Tuesday by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, stated that the heinous crime committed by the Okuama community was a security sacrilege and aberration that must be addressed diligently.
The monarch called for investigation to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He further challenged traditional rulers to take responsibility, noting that swift intervention of the community rulers/leaders could have prevented the national disaster.
Oba Akanbi said the attacked officers and soldiers were sent on peace mission to restore harmony in the two warring communities but were caught unprepared and murdered.
His words: ” An attack on the Nigerian troops is an attack on Nigeria itself. A security sacrilege, aberration and abomination has been committed by the people of the Okuoma community. The murdered soldiers are servants on peace missions to quench warring towns.
“While commiserating with the immediate family of the victims and the Nigerian army, I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government to unravel the identity of the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.
“The community rulers mostly the monarchs should be alert to their responsibilities. Such heinous crime can never happen under watch. The local government chairmen who are the official security of officers should also brace up. If you can’t control your people at such a fragile moment, it tells a lot about your leadership credits.
“The occurrence is not an external representation of our military. It’s not an indication of a calm security. The government must ensure the perpetrators are duly punished to serve as a deterrent to others.”
It will be recalled that 17 military personnel comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers were killed while on a “peacekeeping mission” in Okuoma, Bomadi Local Government of Delta State.
