The Nigerian Army says troops will not leave the creeks in Delta State until those who killed 17 military personnel in Okuama community are caught and weapons carted away by the perpetrators are recovered.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA STATE, Major General Jamal Abdussalam stated this on Thursday.
He however assured that troops would be firm, strong, decisive and professional in the cause of the operations in the general area.
He made this known when the Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku paid him a condolence visit at the Division’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt Barracks.
Major General Abdussalam, while appreciating the MD and his team for the visit, said the mission handed to troops by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja is basically to recover the weapons carted away by the perpetrators of this heinous crime and ensure that all those involved are arrested.
A statement released by the Nigerian army on Thursday, March 21, read in parts ,
“He further added that troops will continue to be in the creeks until these objectives are achieved.
“The GOC further reiterated that no amount of propaganda, arm-twisting, blackmailing, intimidation, and false narratives would distract troops from staying on course to achieve their objectives.
“He, however, assured that the operations would be conducted in the most professional manner in line with the global best practice of adherence to rules of engagement and respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry. He called on people of the Niger Delta Region(NDR) to go about their normal activities.
“He appealed to people and communities to assist troops regarding the location of the fleeing criminals and the carted away weapons.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, he averred is the symbol of our sovereignty, stressing that the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu captured it succinctly when he said an attack on our Armed Forces is an attack on our nation. Therefore, if we allow criminals to continue to attack our security forces , there will be anarchy, the GOC said.
“Major General Abdussalam further said troops will not rest until all those involved are tracked down to account for their deeds.
“He reassured that the operation is being conducted in such a way that, going forward, nobody would contemplate attacking men in uniform.
“He also said false narratives being churned out, and propaganda peddled over this mindless criminality would not deter troops from fishing out the criminals.
“The GOC appreciated the MD and his team for identifying with the NA at this moment of grief. He added that there would not be development without peace and security.
“Thus, the two institutions would continue to work together for the common good of society.
“He called on well-meaning members of the society to avail the NA credible intelligence on where to get the criminals and ensure they answer for their crimes.”
Earlier, the MD NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, while commiserating with the GOC, said that without peace in the NDR, there would not be development.
He averred that the NDR has been peaceful for some time, owing to the sacrifices of officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. However, the sad event that occurred in Okuama has called for concern.
This informed the reason he led his management team on a condolence visit to the Division, adding that they stand in solidarity with the NA over this gruesome murder of officers and soldiers.
Chief Ogbuku said this unfortunate incident didn’t define the people of the NDR, adding that for years now, the people of the region have embraced peace and dialogue.
He further said that no one in the region is in support of this mindless act of criminality.
The NDR he said has been relatively calm and remains the bedrock of the national economy. He called on all critical stakeholders to calm and support the NA to fish out the perpetrators of this act.
This, he said, is the only way justice would be served, particularly to those who paid the supreme price.
He assured that they would continue to pray and support the families they left behind.
He expressed optimism that the NA will conduct its operations in the most professional manner by ensuring that innocent people don’t take the brunt of the crime committed by criminals.
