Despite hues and cries over what appears to be a retaliatory campaign by Nigerian military over killing of 16 people in Okuama Community, Delta State, Senate on Monday backed directive by President Bola Tinubu on army to fish out those behind the killings while saying nothing over the alleged sacking of the entire community by the military.
Fifteen soldiers and one civilian were killed after being ambushed by militants the embattled community say has been a source of insecurity to them for very long.
President Tinubu while commiserating with the families of the victims of the killings, had ordered the army to fish out the killers.
This was despite reports of wanton destruction and despoliation reported in the community.
Senate describing the killing of the soldiers as “perfidious height of barbaric and heinous crime.”
The Upper Chamber, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu said that”the Nigerian Senate has received with sadness the gruesome and unthinkable killings of 15 personnel of the Nigerian Army by armed groups during a peace mission to Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday 14th March 2024.”
Giving further details on the killings, Defense Headquarters said two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers were part of the mission.
A statement by the Director, Defense Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, explained that the troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion were deployed in the Bomadi region and were on a peace-keeping mission in the Okuoma community when they were killed on Thursday.
The killings have been condemned by many stakeholders with President Bola Tinubu vowing that the perpetrators will not go unpunished.
According to the Senate Spokesman, “The Nigeria Armed Forces need our maximum cooperation, prayers and support at this trying period in our nation, as they conduct operations all over the country to restore peace and stability in troubled locations.”