Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas of Delta South Senatorial District has urged for a thorough investigation into the tragic killing of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued from Warri on Sunday, Senator Thomas denounced the violent act, labeling it as “a crisis taken too far.”
He revealed that the soldiers were on a mission to rescue Mr. Anthony Aboh, reportedly kidnapped in Okuama Community.
Expressing condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and the military authority, Senator Thomas called for urgent intervention from both state and federal governments to prevent further escalation of the situation.
“There is a need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.
“There is also the need for the military to tactically deploy intelligence in tracking the masterminds to avoid the killing of innocent people in Okuama Community.
“I commiserate with the military authority, families of the slain soldiers as well as others who may have lost their loved ones to the crisis.
“I urge the people of Okuama Community to assist the military to fish out the killers of the gallant soldiers,” Thomas’ statement partly reads.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement released on Saturday by Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the acting Director of Defence Information, confirmed the loss of 16 soldiers in the clash with youths from the community.
Among the casualties were a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 other soldiers.
