Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The member, House of Representatives representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Rodney Ambaiowei, has admonished the military to put their intelligence prowess into use and fish out the killers of the 16 military personnel in Okuama community in Delta State rather than vetting their anger on innocent citizens.
Ambaiowei, who stated this, at a press briefing, in Abuja, said this was necessary to reduce collateral damage to innocent and law abiding citizens, especially against the backdrop of “the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, November 1999 following the killing of some soldiers and policemen.”
The Rep member, while condemning the killing of military personnel, including four officers and 12 soldiers, expressed support for the government to bring the perpetrators to book.
“There is no gainsaying that the gruesome and unprovoked murder of 16 officers and men of the Nigerian army, consisting of a Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, a captain and 12 other men of the military by criminals in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, is one of the worse things to have happened to our gallant soldiers in recent history”, Ambaiowei said.
He expressed dismay that the crisis has “spilled into Igbomotoru, a hitherto peaceful community in my federal constituency, Southern Ijaw, which is more than 150 nautical kilometres from Okuama and in less than 24 hours spilled into Igbomotorumy Federal Constituency.
“This led to the invasion of the once serene community by men said to be of the military in search of the perpetrators of the heinous crime at Okuama. The aftermath of the invasion was the destruction and killing of some innocent and peace loving citizens of Igbomotoru community, which is rather unfortunate and saddening.. . “
“I am aware that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to gather intelligence within a short period. The execution of such intelligence reports should be done with utmost caution to minimise collateral damage to innocent and law abiding citizens.
“I say this, bearing in mind the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, November 1999, following the killing of some soldiers and policemen which remains fresh in our memories. Caution and professionalism must be the watchword to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book”, Ambaiowei added.