The military high command has slammed reports that troops went on a reprisal attack in Okuama community after they suffered the loss of 16 soldiers butchered by the community touts in Okuama community Delta State. Vigil360 has yesterday reported how the Nigerian Army while on a peace mission to Okuama community met their untimely death which included an army commander, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers all lost their lives in the village savagely.
The deceased officers and men were personnel from 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had with immediate effect directed that an investigation and arrest of those involved in the terrible crime be brought to justice.
For fear of unknown some days later, residents of the Okuama community fled to neighbouring Ughelli in anticipation of reprisal by the military.
However, yesterday the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, reminded the general public that the armed forces is a disciplined organisation that operates within a confine of rules of engagement of armed conflict and respect for human rights.
In his statement, “The ugly incident in the Okuama community in Delta State is indicative of the dangers our gallant troops experience to secure our nation.
“The military assures that there would be measured responses and injurious consequences for the perpetrators of these dastardly acts.
“Nevertheless, the armed forces being a disciplined force that complies with rules of engagement, laws of armed conflict and the respect for human rights would be tempered by these provisions. We would not be led by emotions but by the rule of law.
“It is against this background that the military debunks all claims that the military embarked on reprisal attacks in the Okuama community after the incident. The community was deserted even before troops arrived at the scene.
“Importantly, those involved in peddling this misinformation, disinformation and fake news that the military had embarked on reprisal attacks on the community following the incident, should desist from further dishonouring our fallen heroes.”
Meanwhile, the military authority has called on the leaders of the community to help the military identify and fish out the criminal in their domain so that they can face justice.
Although, it was learned that troops of the Nigerian Army have invaded Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, razing houses and allegedly killing about 11 persons.
It was reported that soldiers in five gunboats stormed the community and razed houses suspected to be the hideout of a militant leader whom were involved in the killing of the military men who were on a rescue mission in Delta.
