Mike Ejiofor, a former Director of the Department of State Services, believes that the Nigerian Army is directly involved in the killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State and should not be part of the investigation.
He also suggests that the Federal and State Governments should work together to create independent investigative panels with representatives from both sides to look into the incident.
Ejiofor made these comments during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.
He stated, “The military has a vested interest and cannot carry out this investigation. By now, the Federal Government or the state government should have established a panel to investigate this matter as time is of the essence. We need to uncover the truth behind this incident,” he said.
However, he criticized the decision of the military leadership to send a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 13 other military personnel to resolve a land dispute.
He argued, “The state and Federal Government should set up or coordinate the formation of a high-powered independent investigation team with representatives from both sides. This team should provide an unbiased report on what transpired because at this point, people are scattering, including those who may be implicated in this investigation.
“A lieutenant colonel, two majors cannot independently embark on a peacekeeping mission in a community. There is much more to this incident that needs to be uncovered.”
However, the former DSS boss recommended that the military involve the police and DSS operatives in civilian assignments in the future.
He stated, “If there is a peacekeeping mission, both parties must be involved; representatives from both communities must take part, and a neutral ground should be chosen, possibly the local government headquarters, if peace initiatives are being discussed.
“And why involve the military? In fact, it exposes them to danger. If the police, the DSS, and the military were involved in this operation, I don’t think we would have seen this kind of incident. We are not justifying the killings, but it serves as a lesson for all of us, including the military.
“We should not blame the military too much because they have been primarily focused on military matters, leading to the military being tasked with peace initiatives without the involvement of civil authorities. I still don’t understand it.”
The PUNCH reports that no fewer than 17 military personnel were killed by irate youths during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in Delta State last Thursday.
The personnel attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed and killed on Thursday.
The Defence Headquarters on Monday released the names and pictures of its personnel killed during the communal clash.
The personnel consists of four officers and 13 soldiers.
The officers are Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).
The soldiers' names are SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).
