Soldier killing: No one left in Okuama, says governor
There is no one left in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where Army officers and men were killed, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said yesterday.
Describing the incident as strange, he said he was unable to reach any of the community leaders.
The governor said he received an update from the military, and that the the situation was under control.
The member representing the community in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, told his colleagues at the Green Chamber yesterday that his people were hiding in the bush.
The governor said he received an update from the military, and that the the situation was under control.
The member representing the community in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, told his colleagues at the Green Chamber yesterday that his people were hiding in the bush.
Oborevwori spoke with reporters at the State House, Abuja, after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on developments.
The Army put the number of those killed at 17, including four officers.
The officers are Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj. Safa, Maj. D.E Obi, and Captain U. Zakari.
The soldiers are Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Yahaya Danbaba, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Haman Peter and Ibrahim Abdullahi.
The rest are Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.
The officers and soldiers were on a peace mission when those believed to be Okuama youths ambushed and murdered them on Thursday.
More outrage greeted the dastardly act yesterday.
The Senate, House of Representatives, prominent Nigerians and groups called for a thorough investigation.
They want the perpetrators brought to justice.
The Senate, which observed a minute’s silence in honour of the slain officers and men, mandated its committees on the Army, Defence, Air Force and Navy to investigate the killings.
Immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, called for an independent investigative panel to unearth the true nature of the incident.
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri warned against drawing hasty conclusions on the killings or politicising the situation.
The Urhobo Traditional Rulers and the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) called for an independent truth commission on the killings and the underlying causes.
The Forum of Delta State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) called for a special panel to probe the incident.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) urged the community leaders to expose those behind the killings.
Oborevwori said while his government has met with the military, it has not been able to meet with the community leaders because the place has been deserted.
