…mandates its committees on Army, Defence, Navy, Police Force to investigate killing
The last has not been heard of the brutal killing of 16 officers and men of the Nigerian Army in Okuama community in Delta State last week as the Senate on Tuesday mandated the Committees on Army, Defence, Navy and Police Force to investigate the killing.
This followed the motion sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina Central, APC), on the ‘Killing of Nigerian Army Personnel in Okuama Community, Delta State and the Necessity for an Urgent investigation’, and supported by Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central).
The tragic incident in Okuama community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, occurred on Thursday, 14 March 2024, resulting in the loss of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, a Captain, and 12 soldiers during a peace mission.
In his lead debate, Yar’Adua explained that the unfortunate incident occurred when the troop responded to a distress call after a communal crisis between the Okuama and Okolobe communities in Delta State.
In support of the motion, some of the senators aired their views by condemning the innocent killing of the Army personnel and further maintained that the issues be resolved holistically and not one sided.
Also speaking, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin condemned the killing and demanded that those involved in it should face justice.
The Senate therefore urged the Federal Government to hasten the recruitment and training of more police personnel to take up the job of policing responsibilities while the Nigerian Army plays its primary role in the affairs of the country.
The Senate further urged the Federal Government to embark on enlightenment campaign to sensitize the public on their civic responsibility as it affects their relationship with security agencies.
