Killing of Soldiers Orchestrated – Army
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Nigerian Army on Monday said the murder of soldiers in Delta state was “orchestrated” by members of the Okuoma community.
In a statement by its Director, 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 has been engaged in resorting to propaganda.
“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 Okuoma 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,” the statement read.
“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 is again a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.
“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,” the statement noted
Urging law-abiding citizens to go about their activities without fear, assuring them that there would be no reprisal attack in the community, the Army spokesman added that the Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has directed that those behind the heinous crime must be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
According to the statement, “While commiserating with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives, has directed that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of this 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.”
About 15 soldiers were killed by youths during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in the state. Army personnel attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion, while responding to a distress call, were ambushed and killed on Thursday.