The Nigerian Army, on Monday, said the Okuama village in Delta State, Ughelli South Local Government Area where military personnel were slain had turned to propaganda.
Despite information stating that over 20 persons had been taken into custody, it denied any reprisal on the community.
Additionally, they asked that the Okuoma community in Delta state, Ughelli South Local Government Area identify the killers of its men and officials.
Still, on Monday, the Defence headquarters released the names of the Army personnel who were killed on Thursday, during a peace mission to Okuama.
The Army stated that their number was 17 and not 16, as was widely reported by the media, in a post on its X-handle with the caption “Rest in Peace our Fallen Heroes.”
Speaking to reporters under anonymity for fear of being harassed, a community leader charged that the military was conducting widespread detentions and homicides.
He issued a warning that the Odi event would happen again as a result of the soldiers’ activities as a similar event happened in 1999 where the the Army launched an assault on Odi town in Bayelsa State following the deaths of a few soldiers in the community
He said, “If it involves mass arrest, nobody will complain about it, but mass killings are currently ongoing in the community. A situation where soldiers will enter a community and open fire is a terrible thing.
“The same thing that happened in Odi is happening in Okuama today. When people take laws into their own hands because of the mischief of a few, it becomes a problem. When miscreants go to an area and cause mayhem, and the military is taking that to wipe out an entire community, that is a bad omen.”
But in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army lamented that rather than help to provide assistance to arrest the perpetrators of the crime, the community was dishing out propaganda.
Onyema stated that resorting to propaganda showed that the killing of troops was a “communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.”
The statement read, “The unfortunate killing of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, while on a peaceful and mediatory mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State respectively, is not only despicable but should be unreservedly condemned by all.
“These were troops committed to peace and security of lives and property of citizens and non-citizens alike in the Niger Delta Region, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama Community, in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner and went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains by ripping out their hearts by the very people they were there to protect.
“Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This again is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.”
Onyema noted that no amount of propaganda would prevent those involved in the killing of personnel from being apprehended.
He, however, urged law-abiding citizens to go about their activities without fear, assuring there would be no reprisal attack in the community.
He said, “The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to cover up, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety, it is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies. No amount of propaganda would arm-twist the narrative, they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.
“While law-abiding citizens are assured that there will be no reprisal on the part of the troops, we enjoin all to go about their normal activities, even as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds.”
The Army spokesperson noted that the Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, has directed that all culprits must be brought to book.
“While commiserating with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives, he has directed that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of these gruesome acts are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“Troops are determined to get to these criminals, there is certainly no hiding place for them.”
