Senate President Denies Niger Delta Involvement in Soldiers' Killings: Urges Thorough Investigation
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made a striking statement during a plenary session, asserting that the perpetrators behind the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community, Delta State, are not indigenous to the Niger Delta region. This assertion came amidst a tense atmosphere following the tragic incident that occurred last Thursday in Okuama community, situated in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Military authorities initially reported that the soldiers lost their lives while on a mission aimed at restoring peace between two conflicting communities, Okuama and Okoloba, within the state. However, the recent revelation by the Senate President challenges the assumption that the assailants were locals from the Niger Delta.
In response to the alarming situation, Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC, Katsina Central), who also chairs the Senate Committee on Army, presented a motion during the plenary session, calling for a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators. He emphasized the need for collaboration between the Nigerian military and the police to prevent future occurrences of such heinous acts.
A wave of condemnation swept through the Senate chambers as many senators expressed their shock and dismay over the killings. They threw their weight behind the motion presented by Mr. Yar’adua, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
Adding his perspective to the discourse, Senate President Akpabio, a native of Akwa Ibom State in the Niger Delta, urged caution in assigning blame to the residents of the region. He stressed the importance of conducting a meticulous investigation to uncover the truth behind the attack.
Expressing his skepticism, Akpabio raised doubts about the involvement of Niger Delta residents in the killings, suggesting the possibility of external mercenaries perpetrating the crime. He cautioned against prematurely labeling the assailants as Niger Deltans and called for a comprehensive probe to ascertain their identities and motives.
Akpabio's impassioned plea for a thorough investigation resonated with his colleagues, prompting them to support additional prayers for a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. He emphasized the need to avoid hasty conclusions and underscored the importance of holding the real perpetrators accountable for their actions.
The revelation by the Senate President has cast a new light on the tragic incident, raising critical questions about the identity and motives of the assailants. As investigations unfold, Nigerians await answers and justice for the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
