Nigerian military high command has debunked allegation that it carried out reprisal attack on Okuama community in Delta State after 17 soldiers were murdered by youths in the area.
Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba who debunked the insinuations noted that those involved in peddling the misinformation, disinformation and fake news that the military had embarked on reprisal attacks on the community following the incident, should desist from further dishonouring the fallen heroes.
“Rather, it behooves on the community leaders, elders and even the people of Delta State to assist investigation to identify the perpetrators of the dastardly act so that they can be held accountable for their actions.
“It is no longer news that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE suffered a setback that resulted in loss of lifes of gallant personnel of the armed forces.
“These personnel were on a peace mission to Okuama Comunity of Delta State, when members of the community launched unprovoked attacks on the unsuspecting troops killing the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, 2 Majors, 1 Capt and 12 personnel of the battalion.
“The senseless and barbaric killings of these men is a tragedy. They were killed in a dehumanized and unspeakable manner. Accordingly, on behalf of the CDS, Gen CG Musa, the armed forces mourns the loss of these gallant troops that paid the supreme sacrifice for the nation. We console with their families, colleagues and loved ones over the tragic incident. They have died trying to restore peace in the nation.
“It is necessary to reiterate that both the Constitution and the Armed Forces Act saddled the military with the responsibility of the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation.
“Accordingly, the armed forces consist of citizens from every nook and cranny of the nation, that have taken an oath of allegiance to put themselves in harms way to defend our great country.
“Given ongoing security situation across the country, troops are deployed on internal security operations in about all the states of the federation. Troops intervene to deescalate and contain tensed situations.
“However, the ugly incident in Okuama Community in Delta State is indicative of the dangers our gallant troops experience in order to secure our nation.
“The military assures that there would be measured responses and injurious consequences for the perpetrators of these dastardly act. Nevertheless, the armed forces being a disciplined force that complies with rules of engagement, laws of armed conflict and the respect for human rights would be tempered by these provisions.
“We would not be led by emotions, but by the rule of law. It is against this background that the military debunks all claims that the military embarked on reprisal attacks in Okuama Community after the incident. The community was desertered even before troops arrived the scene.
“Furthermore, it must be noted that the dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities remains unresolved. It therefore implies that there could be untoward activities not initiated by the military.
“Overall, there is no doubt, that this is an extremely sad development and untoward activity by members of the Okuama community against troops that were there to protect them.
“We urge the public to resist the temptation of allowing any videos of the incident of the killed personnel from going viral. Their loved ones are still alive , even though they have died protecting our country and its citizens.
“It would be a dishonored to the fallen heroes to allow such ugly videos of their demise go viral. Above all, as the military mourns, it remains ever determined to ensure safety and security of citizens across the country.” He said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria army headquarters has described as ‘callous and totally condemnable’ the resort to propaganda by Okuama community in the face of gruesome murder of troops on peace mission.
Army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu, a Major General, noted that the unfortunate killing of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army (NA), 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.
“The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to coverup, 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.
“There is no amount of propaganda that 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 Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, 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.”