By Abubakar Yunusa Ojima-Ojo
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, appealed to the military, to refrain from retaliating against innocent Deltans in the wake of the murder of their colleagues.
The 17 military personnel were killed last week in Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State after a peace mission.
While considering a motion of urgent national importance by Honourable Babajimi Benson, the house said it was concerned that the incident posed a risk of demoralising the military.
The house appealed to the military to ensure they abide by the law, and “avoid further retaliation”.
The lawmakers observed a minute of silence for the slain personnel and mandated the security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, to bring the perpetrators to book.
The House Committee on Defence is also to lead the process of investigation and reconciliation, to avoid further escalation.
Days after the gruesome murder, the Defence Headquarters said 17 personnel including the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 12 personnel of the battalion were among those killed.
The Defence Headquarters gave the names of those killed as:
– Lt Col AH Ali, the Command Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion, Nigerian Army.
– Maj SD Shafa (N/13976)
– Maj DE Obi (N/14395)
– Capt U Zakari (N/16348)
– SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974)
– Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274)
– Col Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853)
– LCol Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844)
– Lal Sole Opeyemi (17NA/760719)
– LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290)
– LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653)
– LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191)
– Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079)
– Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911)
– Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162)
– Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079)
– Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).
Meanwhile, The Explainer reports that Okuama community was razed following the killing, however, the Nigerian Army assured residents of the area of no reprisal attacks.
“While law-abiding citizens are assured that there will be no reprisal on the part of the troops, we enjoin all to go about their normal activities, even as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds,” it said.