The House of Representatives will on Thursday hold an investigative hearing on the incident leading to gruesome murder of 17 military personnel around Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The investigative hearing will be held at the Government House Annex, Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area of the state on Thursday March 25th by 10am prompt.

The hearing is being conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Defence in line with the resolution of the House during its sitting of March 19, 2024, to investigate the remote causes of the incident.

Recall that 17 military personnel including a lieutenant colonel, two majors and a captain were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen while travelling to Okuama on a peace mission over a land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.

However, following the unfortunate killing of the soldiers, military personnel in what is considered to be reprisal attacked destroyed all property riverine community with residents now taking refuge in neighbouring bushes of Ewu Kingdom.

According to a statement signed by House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson and Clerk to House Committee on Defence, Musa Aliyu, called on members of the public and interested parties to provide the committee with useful information on the incident during the Hearing.

It read, “The House of Representatives invites the general public, stakeholders, and all interested parties to an investigative Hearing on the Carnage that occurred in Okuama Community Delta State resulting in the death of military officers et al.

“This Investigative Hearing in line with the 10th Assembly Houe of Representatives’ Resolution of 19th March, 2024, presents an opportunity for stakeholders to provide valuable information and recommendations that will help unveil causes and effects as well as the perpetuators of the dastardly act and events that followed, with a view to bringing perpetuators to justice, prevent such occurrence in the future and bring succor to the innocent members of the public who were affected thereafter.

“Members of the public who are willing to submit memorandum should do so in ten (10) copies and submit same to the Committee within one (1) week of this Publication to the Clerk of the Committee, Musa Aliyu Room 315 White House, House of Representative, National Assembly, Three Arm Zone Abuja. Or at the Public Investigative Hearing scheduled as follows: Date: Thursday 25th April, 2024. Time: 10am. Venue: Conference Hall, Government House Annex, Edjeba Warri Delta State.

“The House of Representatives Committee on Defence looks forward to a robust engagement and meaningful contributions from all stakeholders.”