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Okuama Killing: Lawmaker Calls For Caution, Professionalism to Avoid Collateral Damage

Published

9 months ago

March 26, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of Bayelsa state, Rep. Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei, has said that in the execution of the intelligence report of the killing of some military officers in Okuama, Delta state, should be done with utmost caution to minimize collateral damage to innocent and law abiding citizens.

Rep. Ambamaiowei also stressed that caution and professionalism must be the watch word to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book.

The lawmaker stated this at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja on the aftermath of the cold blooded murder of military personnel at Okuama Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on the 14 March, 2024.

He also condemned in its entirety the dastardly act which he called “A Great National Tragedy”.

He said: It has become imperative and compelling to lend my voice in condemning an event which is uncalled for and avoidable loss of lives of Nigerians on the side of the Nigerian Military and the communities affected in Ughelli South and Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency.

“There is no gainsaying that the gruesome and unprovoked murder of sixteen officers and men of the Nigerian army consisting of a Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, a captain and twelve 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.

“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 minimize 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 watch word to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book.

“At this juncture, I want to align with the thinking and disposition of the President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and all the good people of Nigeria who crave for the swift arrest of those criminals who untimely cut short the lives of those officers and men of the Nigerian army who were merely on a peace mission to Okuama. Their dastardly act has created young widows and orphans whose future is now made bleak”.

Rep. Ambamaiowei condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of these fallen heroes, and Bayelsa State government.

“I am sadly compelled to issue this press statement following the callous and senseless murder of these officers who were said to be on their line of duty at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State which event spilled into Igbomotoru, a hitherto peaceful community in my FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, Southern Ijaw which is more than one hundred and fifty nautical kilometres from Okuama and in less than twenty-four 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.

“Let me express my heartfelt condolences to the Bayelsa State government and the widows, widowers and the good people of Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency,

specifically the Igbomotoru community for the untimely demise of innocent citizens arising from the unfortunate military operations”, he added.

He called on the people of Igbomotoru and the entire Southern-Ijaw Federal Constituency, to be vigilant and report any strange movements in their various communities to the nearest law enforcement agents.

Thelawmaker urged the federal government to provide palliatives for the people of these communities as they can no longer go about their businesses, neither can children go to school as they have take shelter in the forest and bushes for fear of the military.

“Additionally, I implore parents not to even spare taking drastic actions against their children and wards who are getting out of control. There is a biblical saying that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child.

“Let me most sincerely thank the Bayelsa State Government and Delta State Government for their swift response. I use this medium to call on Federal Government and International Organizations to send Palliatives to the affected Communities whose livelihood has been affected. Those who have lost bread winners in the process and children who as a result of this unfortunate incident have lost precious school time”.

News

Nigeria Renews Currency Swap Deal With China

Published

3 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigeria and China have renewed the currency swap agreement between both countries.

The renewal is valid for three years and can be renewed upon mutual consent.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who shared the information on his social media account, said China’s central bank confirmed on Friday that it has renewed a bilateral currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The total value of the agreement is 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars), or 3.28 trillion Nigerian naira, the People’s Bank of China said in a statement on its website.

It said that the renewal of the currency swap arrangement will strengthen financial cooperation between China and Nigeria, expand the use of the two currencies, and promote and facilitate bilateral trade and investment.

Recall back in 2018, the CBN and its Chinese counterpart, signed a currency swap deal after two years of negotiations between the two countries.

The deal, valued at about $2.5bn, is aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists and other businesses, thereby reducing the difficulties encountered in the search for third currencies.

The move is also aimed at facilitating bilateral trade and investment and promoting the financial stability of both countries.

News

Aiyedatiwa names court complex after Akeredolu

Published

3 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has immortalised his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as he announced that the new High Court complex to be constructed in the state would be named after the departed ex-governor.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed this while speaking during the flag-off of the construction of the new high court complex also called the Judiciary Village in Akure, the state capital, on Friday.

Aiyedatiwa described the project as a historic milestone for the state, adding that it was conceived under the leadership and vision of the late Akeredolu.

He said, “This is a milestone celebration as we flag off the construction of a new high court complex in our dear state.

“Since the creation of Ondo State in 1976, no attempt has been made to provide a modern edifice for the administration of justice.

“Today, we are not only making history but also fulfilling a long-standing dream of the judiciary.

“This development is the actualisation of the dream and vision of our late leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“He desired to provide a state-of-the-art high court complex to enhance the workload and welfare of our judiciary.

“Naming this project the Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Judiciary Complex is a fitting way to immortalise his legacy.”

Highlighting the importance of embarking on the project, the governor expressed his administration’s commitment to the advancement of justice and the welfare of judicial officers in the state.

“Let me state with all sense of responsibility that we are embarking on this project at this time not because the state is too buoyant financially but because of our commitment to providing a good working environment with modern facilities that will enhance the welfare of our judicial officers, workers and people seeking justice, with the overall aim of speeding up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State.

“This complex will include a ceremonial court, modular courts, a registry, a library, exhibition buildings, a utility building and modern parking facilities.

“It’s designed to create a conducive environment for the administration of justice and to speed up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola lauded the initiative, describing it as a landmark achievement of the current administration in the state.

News

2024 Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo, Vinicius, Bellingham win big(Photos)

Published

3 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Al Nassr and Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best player in the Middle East at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards ceremony held in Dubai earlier on, December 27.

The organizers of the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards ceremony honoured Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with the career-recognition award tagged “The greatest president of all time”.

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand alongside Alessandro Del Piero, Neymar, and Thibaut Courtois were also given lifetime achievement awards.

It was a night for Real Madrid and members of the team as the club’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti was named Best Coach at the Globe Soccer Awards. His player, Vinicius Junior, was named Best Men’s Player of the Year, while Jude Bellingham won the Best Midfielder award.