The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on the federal government and security agents to leave no stone unturned in finding the killers of 16 soldiers killed in Okuama community, Delta state.
Oluwo of Iwo described the killing of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army which happened in Okuama community, Bomadi local government area of Delta State as a national disaster and affront to the security outfits of Nigeria.
Oba Akanbi made this known in a statement made available through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibrahim, on Tuesday in reaction to the incident which has continued to generate reactions.
The monarch stressed that the heinous crime committed by the Okuama community is a security sacrilege and aberration that must be addressed diligently, as he also called for an investigation to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
It would be recalled that 16 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.
Oluwo commiserated with the federal government, the Nigerian army and the immediate family of the victims.
He further challenged traditional rulers to take responsibility, noting that swift intervention of the community rulers/leaders could have prevented the national disaster.
He stressed the attacked officers and soldiers were sent on a peace mission to restore harmony in the two warring communities but were caught unprepared and murdered.
The statement read, ” An attack on the Nigerian troops is an attack on Nigeria itself. A security sacrilege, aberration and abomination have 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 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.”
Credit: Vanguard online
