..Calls for adequate compensation and welfare packages for families of those who die in active service
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 general election, Peter Obi has condemned in strong terms, the killing of security officers in Delta State, saying that the killing of our security personnel who put their lives on the line for the security of the nation will be too much of a burden to bear.
The former two-term governor of Anambra State who called for adequate compensation and welfare packages for the families of those who die in active service, tasked Nigerians to always show our love by commiserating with their families and even visiting them in such difficult times.
Peter Obi made the call on Sunday (today) in a statement he personally e-signed and released via his X account in reaction to the recent killing of 22 soldiers in Delta state after last week’s report of killing of some police officers in the same state.
Obi’s statement reads in full:
Just last week, several policemen were reportedly killed while on duty in Delta State. We were still recovering from the shock over such a sad occurrence when yesterday, we were besieged with the gory reports of the killing of 22 officers and men of the Nigerian Army, also in Delta State.
In both sad incidents, the dead security personnel were on active duties of securing and keeping peace within our communities, state and country before their unfortunate end, even by the people they were trying to help.
This killing is barbaric and totally unacceptable and should not be tolerated by Nigerians and any sane society. For a nation already combatting a high level of insecurity, the killing of our security personnel who put their lives on the line for the security of the nation will be too much of a burden to bear.
These sad occurrences and many cases of killing, kidnappings and violent crimes around the country, have continued to fuel very deep concerns over the security of the nation.
These security operatives are making a lot of sacrifices in their line of duty, and in some cases pay the supreme price. We must therefore appreciate and value them by showing empathy towards them and ensuring healthcare for those who are wounded.
There should be adequate compensation and welfare packages for the families of those who die in active service. All of us should always show our love by commiserating with their families and even visiting them in such difficult times.
I sincerely condole with the families of the security personnel that died, and their security formations (Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force respectively) over the sad loss of their personnel.
I encourage them not to be dispirited by these ugly developments but see it as a challenge to increase their efforts in their duties. I urge the government and the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in investigating, arresting and prosecuting those behind these ugly acts.
May God grant eternal rest to all the security officers who have lost their lives fighting for the peace and security of our nation. May God grant all of us the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss. -PO
Sundiata Post recalls that some Okuama youths on Wednesday reportedly ambushed one Mr Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, and held him hostage.
The Chairman of the Okoloba community alerted the Divisional Police Officer, Bomadi Police Division, the Joint Task Force, the Department of State Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
It was learnt that the JTF swiftly swung into action and moved to Okuama to rescue the hostage.
However, the aggrieved youths of Okuama, on sighting the JTF personnel, allegedly opened fire on them at the waterfront and killed two soldiers with some others missing.
The situation degenerated to a gun duel between the youths and the military, leading to some soldiers sustaining severe bullet wounds.
In the ensuing melee, some of the soldiers reportedly managed to escape with the two wounded soldiers, who are said to be presently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital in Bomadi.
However, the Nigerian Army confirmed the killing of its officers and men, whom it noted were on a peace mission in the Okuama community.
In a statement by the acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Army said the commanding officer of the 181 Amphibious Batallion, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers lost their lives.
The statement read in part, “The troops of the 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on peace mission to Okuama community in the Bomadi LGA of Delta State, were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call regarding the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers.
However. the joint task force in Delta state headed by Major General Jamal Abdussalam of the 6th Division Nigerian Army, has recovered fourteen lifeless bodies of killed soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.
The bodies were recovered in the early hours of today, 16th March, 2024.
Some of the recovered corpses were said to have been beheaded, while the stomachs and hearts of others were ripped off.
Unfortunately, at the NDDC jetty in the coastal Delta community, the bodies of the commanding officer and the two killed majors were seen floating by the river bank as others were separated on land.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ordered a probe into the tragic killing of the four senior officers and 12 soldiers.
