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Soldiers killing: Tinubu, Senate order manhunt for killers, troops comb warring communities

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday expressed deep displeasure over the killing of army officers and soldiers on a peace mission in a Delta State community, describing it as a direct affront to the nation.

Outrage greeted the dastardly act yesterday from Nigerians, who viewed the situation as unbecoming.

The military, which expressed indignation, was ordered by the President to fish out the killers and bring them to book.

The President in a statement, he personally signed, directed the military to immediately arrest the perpetrators.

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Others who yesterday condemned the killings are Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Northern Governors’ Forum, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) and Clement Ikolo, the traditional ruler of the Ewu Kingdom where Okuoma is located.

A Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, and one captain, along with 12 soldiers and a civilian, were ambushed and killed on Thursday in Okuoma, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The operatives were said to have gone to the Ijaw community to free one Anthony Aboh, an indigene of neighbouring Okoloba, who was allegedly abducted on Wednesday over a land dispute between the two communities.

Residents of Okuoma had reportedly fled in their hundreds before some of their homes were set ablaze.

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Gatherings revealed that there was a strong military presence in the troubled community.

Condoling with the “families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues and their loved ones,” the President assured that those behind the “heinous crime will not go unpunished.”

“The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff (Gen. Christopher Musa) have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.

“My government will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria,” he said.

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The President added: “On Saturday morning, the Nigerian people and I woke up to the dreadful news of the unprovoked killing of our brave military personnel during a rescue mission to the Okuoma community of Delta State.

“The incident occurred on Thursday, 14 March, 2024 when our troops, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State were ambushed.

“A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers sadly lost their lives. One civilian was also killed.

“As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.

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“I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues and their loved ones.

“The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.

“This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage and uncommon grit and patriotism.

“As a nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our country safe, strong and united.

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“The officers and men who died in the Okuoma community have joined the pantheon of great men and women who gave their all, with honour, in the service of our fatherland.

“Members of our armed forces are at the heart and the core of our nationhood. Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act.

“May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep the members of our armed forces safe.”

In Asaba, the Delta State capital, Governor Oborevwori said his government was “gravely disturbed by the killings of the officers and soldiers because the act was as alien to the culture of Deltans”.

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Like the President, he commiserated with the families of slain military men.

“This incident is despicable and not in sync with the culture and tradition of Deltans.

“It runs contrary to the values and path of peace that the state government is promoting,” he lamented in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Festus Ahon.

The governor assured that his administration would “take all measures necessary to fish out all those behind this dastardly act and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.”

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He appealed to all citizens and residents of the state to remain law-abiding as the government would continue to protect lives and property in the state.

PANDEF, Ijaw, Urhobo groups seek probe
PANDEF, a group led by Chief Edwin Clark, said the killing was “totally unacceptable and must be fully investigated.”

The group also mourned the slain operatives and enjoined the Army and other security agencies not to be deterred by the latest tragedy.

“This dastardly act is unacceptable and must be fully investigated. There must be no sacred cows, the culprits must be brought to book as early as possible.

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“PANDEF mourns the slain military personnel and commiserates with all the families and the entire Nigerian Army.

“PANDEF further urges the Nigerian Army and other security personnel around the country to continue with their great national service and not to be deterred by this present sad development,” PANDEF said in a statement by Clark.

Youth groups in Urhobo and Ijaw – IYC Western Zone and UPU – also flayed the incident and called for a probe.

The IYC zone, said in a statement by its Chairman, Doubra Okotete; secretary, Omoghomi Olu-Derimon and Information Officer, Lugard Izuokumor, however, decried reports that Ijaw youths carried out the attack.

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Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.- Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday accused youths of Okuoma of being behind the act.

Co-chairman of the Security Committee of UPU, Efe Kigho, described the incident as “not only a clear case of man’s inhumanity to man,” but “repugnant in all ramifications and condemnable.”

He said: “While the attack on military men is not and cannot be acceptable, the ongoing killing of innocent civilians and destruction of Okuoma community can never be justified.”

Kigho also enjoined the Federal and Delta State governments as well as all relevant authorities to “immediately intervene in the ongoing senseless and baseless butchery, carnage, massacre, slaughter and ensure the cessation of all forms of hostilities to enable our displaced innocent mothers and children The Urhobo Media Practitioners Advocacy Group (UMPAG) called for an independent panel of inquiry into the killings.

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A statement by its Secretary, Theophilus Onojeghen and an executive member, Shedrack Onitsha, alleged “a grand conspiracy to twist the facts of the bizarre incident to paint one party as savages and adjudge another as saints.”

Commiserating with the military, federal and Delta state governments, UMPAG demanded an “independent investigation and arrest of the culprits.”

It said any panel mandated to probe the incident should unearth the “true mission” of the military personnel in the two communities.

AANI, which also called for the arrest of the killers, said their act “was an unforgivable affront to national values.’’

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“AANI stands in solidarity with the military and the families of these heroes who paid the supreme price in the quest for peace in Delta,’’ its National President, Emmanuel Okafor, said.

Monarch, lawmakers demand perpetrators’ arrest
Clement Ikolo, the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom where Okuoma is located, supported the calls for the arrest of perpetrators but appealed for the protection of the community against external aggressors.

Two National Assembly members from Delta State- Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and Nicholas Mutu – called on relevant authorities to tread softly on the incident.

Thomas, who represents Delta South in the Senate, called for a holistic investigation into the crisis and urged the state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent it from escalating.

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“There is a need for the security agencies to go after the mastermind of the heinous crime.

“There is also the need for the military to tactically deploy intelligence in tracking the mastermind to avoid the killing of innocent people in the Okuoma 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 Okuoma Community to assist the military to fish out the killers of the gallant soldiers,” he said.

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Mutu, a member of the House of Representatives, urged relevant security agencies to work round the clock to fish out the killers.

The lawmaker, however, frowned at what he called purported distortion of facts of the incident

“The Ijaw is not in any way linked or connected to this unjustifiable barbaric and inhuman and condemnable act,” he said

Northern Senators condole Nigerian Army

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NSF expressed its sympathies to the “families of the fallen heroes, and the entire Armed Forces” over the death of the “brave personnel.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the families of the fallen heroes, and the entire Armed Forces as we honour the sacrifice and service of our brave personnel,” the forum said in a statement by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua.

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Customs disolves border patrol team amidst smuggling, brutality allegations

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement Tuesday, said the decision was made after due consultation with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The House of Representatives had, on December 11, mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise, Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the NCS across the nation’s borders over alleged complicity in aiding smuggling and involvement in brutality against Nigerians.

The committees were also directed to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols in order to ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

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The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sesi Whingan who alleged that rather than prevent smuggling, recent reports showed that Customs’ personnel across the borders were aiding and abetting smuggling.

But the Customs spokesman explained yesterday that the dissolution of the joint border patrol team was part of the NCS’ efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.

The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from an ex-swift response team to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.

The patrol team was tasked with combating smuggling, irregular migration, and other transnational organised crimes along the nations’ borders, among others.

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Maiwada said the team’s dissolution would not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represents a significant step towards modernising Customs’ operations, improving trade compliance and strengthening national security.

The NCS said the move was part of the organisation’s ‘2025 enforcement strategy’.

“This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.

Maiwada also disclosed that Adewale Adeniyi, NCS Comptroller-General, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline its operations and to ease movement of goods and persons.

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According to the statement, Adeniyi said the NCS would shift reliance to intelligence.

“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement quoted the CG as saying.

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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”

The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.

He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.

He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.

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“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.

“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.

“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.

Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.

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However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.

He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.

These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.

“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.

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He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.

Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.

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Omole celebrates christian faithful, says this is time for renewal of faith in nation and state

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As Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Foundation of christianity today, the Coordinator of the Osun PDP Dynamic Support Group, Comrade Omole Oluwasegun has called on Christians in Osun State and Nigerians as a whole to renew their faith in our country, insisting that our nation must be great again.

Omole noted that Nigeria is blessed with enormous material and human resources.

He said Nigerians should believe in the greatness of our nation and support the Government to achieve the required dividends.

He called on Christians to use the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ to rededicate themselves to the advancement of the ideals of nation building. He also called for prayers against societal ills such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

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Omole said Nigeria and its leaders need all the prayers and support at this time to positively change the fortunes of our fatherland.

“May this Christmas present for you an opportunity to renew and grow your faith in God and our nation, Nigeria. And may you and your family be blessed beyond measure”, he prayed.

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