President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed strong dissatisfaction yesterday regarding the killing of army officers and soldiers on a peace mission in a community in Delta State, describing it as a direct insult to the nation.
The military, equally outraged, was directed by the President to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
In a statement personally signed by the President, he instructed the military to swiftly arrest those responsible.
Others who condemned the killings included Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Northern Governors’ Forum, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), and Clement Ikolo, the traditional ruler of the Ewu Kingdom where Okuoma is situated.
A Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, and one captain, along with 12 soldiers and a civilian, were ambushed and killed on Thursday in Okuoma, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The personnel were reportedly in the Ijaw community to rescue Anthony Aboh, a resident of neighboring Okoloba, who was allegedly abducted on Wednesday due to a land dispute between the two communities.
Hundreds of Okuoma residents had reportedly fled their homes before some of the houses were set on fire.
