The Nigerian Army on Monday took a swipe at Okuama community in Delta State for allegedly resorting to propaganda in the face of the gruesome murder of troops on peace mission to the area last Thursday.
Recall that two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, were ambushed and killed while responding to a distress call during a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in the state, last week.
Reacting in a statement, the army through spokesman, Maj. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, expressed its condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.
It said the gruesome, heartless, and cruel manner in which the military personnel were murdered “is not only despicable but should be unreservedly condemned by all.”
The army took exception to the campaign by Okuama community, which it said, is complicit in the “dastardly act” for resorting to “media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”
The army deduced that such action “is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.”
The statement reads: “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 cover-up, 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.
“Resort to propaganda by Okuama community in the face of gruesome murder of troops on peace mission is callous and totally condemnable.”
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) March 18, 2024.
