The Nigerian Army has condemned the alleged resort to propaganda by Okuama community in Delta State following the gruesome killing of troops who were on a peace mission.
Sixteen soldiers of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army were said to have been murdered while on a peaceful and mediatory mission after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in the Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Delta State.
Spokesperson of the Army, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement on Monday said the unfortunate killing of the troops is not only despicable but should be unreservedly condemned by all.
Nwachukwu said the victims were troops committed to peace and security of lives and properties of the indigenes and non-indigenes alike in the Niger Delta Region, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama Community.
He added that the soldiers were killed in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner with the youth gang going ahead to debase their remains while their hearts were ripped out by the very people they were there to protect.
“Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” said Nwachukwu.
“This again is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.”
Nwachukwu stated that the falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to cover up, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety.
The Army spokesman added that it is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies.
According to him, there is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative, as they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.
Nwachukwu assured the law-abiding indigenes of Okuama community that there will be no reprisal on the part of the troops.
He also enjoined them 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.
Nwachukwu further said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, has commiserated with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives.
Lagbaja has also issued a directive that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of this gruesome acts are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“Troops are determined to get to these criminals, there is certainly no hiding place for them,” said the Army spokesman.
