Distraught Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, was in the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday, where he briefed President Bola Tinubu on the goings-on in the aftermath of Thursday’s gruesome murder of 16 soldiers in the Okuoma community of the State.
“What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for, but we want to assure everybody that there’ll be no more attacks on the villages, if there’s been anyone that had happened in the past… but we know that those who are culpable will be brought the book, but the innocent citizens will not be attacked,” Governor Oborevwori declared after he met with President Tinubu in the State House, Abuja.
The President had expressed displeasure over the killing of the army officers and soldiers who were on a peace mission in a Delta State community, describing it as a direct affront to the nation.
Tinubu in a statement he signed, directed the military who had expressed indignation following the incident, to immediately arrest the perpetrators to bring them to book.
Tinubu said, “Members of our armed forces are at the heart and the core of our nationhood. Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act.
“May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep the members of our armed forces safe.”
Specifically, a Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, and one captain, along with 12 soldiers and a civilian, were ambushed and killed last Thursday in Okuoma, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operatives were said to have gone to the Ijaw community to free one Anthony Aboh, an indigene of neighbouring Okoloba, who was allegedly abducted on Wednesday over a land dispute between the two communities.
The killings was also condemned by many including Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Northern Governors’ Forum, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) and Clement Ikolo, the traditional ruler of the Ewu Kingdom where Okuoma is located.
Speaking to newsmen after he met behind closed-doors with the President, the governor said that the situation is under control, assuring that there will be no more further attacks in the area.
The governor was, however, not forthcoming on reports of a reprisal attacks allegedly carried out by the military and the number of casualties, saying that being a security issue, there are certain things he cannot say in the public.
“Mr President assured me that he is support of the peace and we both condemned the killing of the officers and the soldiers who were on peace mission.
“Yesterday (Monday), I was in Bomadi for security meeting and I got full details and briefings. Some of these are Security issues that you cannot say publicity. That’s the truth and we are managing the situation.
“The issue of whether a place has been burnt down or people have been killed, it has happened.”
On what is the way forward, Governor Oborevwori said “the way forward are two ways. The people that have been killed, the officers and soldiers, we must see how we can find succour for the families and given beffiting burial, also the community. Anything that has happened in the community in the past, will not happen again. We assure that the people who are culpable will be brought to book.”
He revealed that he met with the security heads in Bomadi on Monday but has been unable to meet with the community involved because the place of the incident was completely deserted.
