Delta State House of Assembly has condemned in a very strong term, the killings of 16 soldiers at Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of the State.
The condemnation came following a motion raised at Tuesday’s Plenary under matters of urgent public importance by the member representing Ughelli South State Constituency, Hon Festus Utuama.
Hon Utuama in the motion at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, had sought vehement condemnation of the unprovoked killing of the 16 officers and men of the Nigerian Military and one civilian whom he said, were on peace mission at the community.
While commiserating with the immediate families of the slain soldiers, the Nigerian Army, and those who lost their lives to the unfortunate development, the lawmaker in the motion called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as a matter of urgency, urge relevant security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those who carried out the dastardly act.
He also enjoined the State Governor to constitute a commission of enquiry to investigate and unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the crisis between Okuama community in Ughelli South and Okoloba community in Bomadi local government area.
In their contributions, the Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, Deputy Majority Leader, Festus Okoh, members representing Ndokwa East and West, Prince Emeka Osamuta and Charles Emetulu, passionately appealed to the Nigerian Military to temper justice with mercy, and not to embark on reprisals attacks as a result of the ugly incident.
They advised against executing vengeance on the entire community, but rather they should fish out the culprits and allow the law take its course.
Others Lawmakers who spoke, including the Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, the member representing Isoko South One, Ferguson Onwo and that of Oshimili South, Bridget Anyafulu, urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to put in place more measures aimed at protecting lives in the locality, particularly the elderly, children and the vulnerable persons.
They also appealed to the military to exercise caution in handling the sad situation to avoid untold hardship on the innocent as well as more loss of lives and property.
The motion was unanimously adopted when put to voice votes by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
The Speaker directed that the motion be forwarded to the State Governor for immediate action just as he enjoined the Assembly House committee on Legislative compliance to ensure full compliance of the resolution.
Guwor vehemently condemned the killings and called for thorough investigation into the matter.
He also called for a minute silence to be observed in honour of the slain soldiers.