Security
PROMINENT civil rights advocacy group: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has described as an act of terrorism, the killings by gunmen in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State of over a dozen soldiers including many senior military officers. The Rights group said the killings are insensitive, senseless, misdirected and absolutely reprehensible.
HURIWA has also thrown her support to the order made by the Chief of Defence Staff for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the killers just as the Rights group said it is unfortunate that armed soldiers deployed for a peace keeping mission are simply killed by the warring factions in a direct attempt to undermine peace and stability in Delta State. HURIWA said the aim of the killers of those soldiers was to expand the frontiers of the conflicts and to draw in the armed forces of Nigeria to become a party in the needless infighting amongst the gangsters.
The Rights group praised the Nigeria Army for exercising restraints and for the Chief of Defence Staff to opt for observing the principles of rule of law shows a high level of compliance to the rules of Engagement which is highly encouraging. HURIWA is therefore urging the soldiers not to stage a reprisal attack on the community because those who killed the soldiers may even be loose canons or hired goons who have no connection with the community and the people.
In a media statement the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko stated that the information that troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for a peacekeeping mission to two warring communities in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, including the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, were massacred, has come to us as a massive shock and disbelief particularly because these officers were only in that community for a non-kinetic and peace making initiatives.
HURIWA recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, has ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of all those involved in the killings of those military officers.
“We in HURIWA Condemns in no uncertain terms, the dastardly criminal act and indeed one of the most gruesome act of terrorism, the brutal slaughtering of so many Army officers by some armed hoodlums in a part of Delta State. This is so tragic and despicable to put it mildly and it is hoped that all those involved in this terror attack are arrested and decisively dealt with.”
The Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, confirmed the killing of the military personnel on Saturday.
He said, “The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.
“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime.
“The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.
“However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.
“So far, a few arrests have been made while steps are being taken to unravel the motive behind the attack.
18th March, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: HURIWA
