Soldiers’ Death: Stop Carnage On Delta Communities – Falana To Military

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Senior Lawyer and Human Rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has pleaded with the Military High Command to halt the ongoing wanton destruction of Okuama community in Delta State over the recent murder of their personnel by some hoodlums.

Falana made the plea against the backdrop of reports that lives and properties were being destroyed in parts of Okuama in Ughelli Local Government Area and Okolaba in Bomadi Local Government of Delta State over the killings of soldiers.

In a statement condemning the development on Sunday, Falana called for an end to attacks on innocent citizens, noting that “collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law”.

The statement said; “Yesterday, I condemned the brutal killing of a group of military officers and soldiers in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State which occurred last week. I called for the immediate prosecution of the suspects who have been arrested for their involvement in the heinous crime.

“I also appealed to the military authorities to prevent soldiers from unleashing reprisal attacks on the communities in Bomadi Local Government Area.

“Unfortunately, some villages were attacked last night by angry soldiers. After the attack the villages were set on fire during the nocturnal military invasion. Having regard to the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over killing of soldiers the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected villages.

“It is unfortunate that the federal government has not issued any statement on the barbaric incident.

“In view of the tragic turn of events, I call on the military authorities to halt the destruction of the properties of innocent people in the warring communities. It ought to be pointed out that collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.

“Therefore, the Delta State Government should ensure that the murder suspects and arsonists among the civilians and soldiers are fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the society.”

Fire Rages In Okuama Community
Reports that emerged on Sunday showed that some unknown arsonists invaded the coastal Community of Okuama in Delta State to set it ablaze in what many strongly alleged as a reprisal attack from the Nigerian Army over the killing of their personnel by irate youths in the area.

It was gathered that the community located between Bomadi and Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, went up in flames and chaos and flames following the discovery of beheaded and mutilated bodies of 16 military personnel who were killed while on a peacekeeping mission.

A distressing video footage that went viral on social media showed thick black smoke rising from several buildings within the community.

At the background, unrestrained wailings, confusion and loud cries for help could be heard as the inferno raged unstoppably and destroying everything on its path.

This is as Channels Television reports that some of the recovered corpses were allegedly beheaded, while others had their stomachs and hearts ripped open.

Similarly, it was reported that bodies of the Commanding officer and the two Majors slaughtered were discovered floating by the river bank at the NDDC jetty in the coastal community.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Spokesperson of Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed that the fallen personnel included a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers.

He said they were all ambushed and killed by local youths on Thursday while responding to a distress call arising from a communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities.

General Gussu said; “The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” adding that; “The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 Soldiers”.

The Defence Spokesman also disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, had already ordered an immediate investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ambush.