The Nigerian Army says the Okuama community in Delta State used propaganda after military personnel were killed, confirming the killing was planned by the community.
It said the development confirmed that the killing was a communally orchestrated attack.
At least 15 military personnel were killed by irate youths during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in the state.
The personnel attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed and killed on Thursday.
The Army, in a statement on Monday, by its Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, lamented that instead of helping to arrest the perpetrators, the community has been spreading propaganda.
Onyema added that resorting to propaganda showed that the killing of troops was a “communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.”
The statement read, “The unfortunate killing of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, while on a peaceful and mediatory mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State respectively is not only despicable but should be unreservedly condemned by all.
“These were troops committed to peace and security of lives and property of citizens and non-citizens alike in the Niger Delta region, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama community, in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner and went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains by ripping out their hearts 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. This again is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces. ”
He noted that no amount of falsehood would prevent those involved in the killing of the personnel from being brought to book.
Onyema, however, urged law-abiding citizens to go about their activities without fear, assuring them that there would be no reprisal attack in the community.
He said, “The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to cover, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety.
“It is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies. No amount of propaganda would arm-twist the narrative, they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.
“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. ”
He added that the Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, has directed that all culprits must be brought to book.
Onyema mentioned that he is expressing sympathy for the families of the officers and soldiers who died and has instructed that every possible effort be made to catch the people responsible for these terrible acts and make them face the full punishment of the law. The troops are committed to finding these criminals, and they will have nowhere to hide.
