President Bola Tinubu has vowed not let those involved in the dastardly murdering of 16 soldiers and a civilian to go unpunished.
OPTIMUM TIMES recalls that on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when troops, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, they were ambushed. A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and twelve soldiers sadly lost their lives. One civilian was also killed.
Fourteen lifeless bodies of the killed soldiers were in the early hours of Saturday recovered by soldiers of the joint task force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at Okuama community, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Some of the recovered corpses were said to have been beheaded, while the stomachs and hearts of others were ripped off.
While commiserating with the Nigerian Army, the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones Sunday, Tinubu in a statement personally signed by him, expressed “profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.”
He said: “I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.
“This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage, and uncommon grit and patriotism.
“The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.”
The full text of the statement reads:
STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF NIGERIAN SOLDIERS ON A PEACE MISSION TO OKUAMA COMMUNITY IN DELTA STATE
On Saturday morning, the Nigerian people and I woke up to the dreadful news of the unprovoked killing of our brave military personnel during a rescue mission in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when our troops, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, were ambushed. A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and twelve soldiers sadly lost their lives. One civilian was also killed.
As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.
I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.
This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage, and uncommon grit and patriotism.
As a nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our nation safe, strong, and united. The officers and men who died in Okuama community have joined the pantheon of great men and women who gave their all, with honour, in the service of our fatherland.
Members of our armed forces are at the heart and core of our nationhood. Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act.
The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.
My government will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria.
May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep members of our armed forces safe.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
17th March 2024
FEDERAL
