The Senate on Tuesday mandated its Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force and Navy to immediately investigate the circumstances that led to the killing of an army commander, three officers and 12 other soldiers by yet-to-be-identified attackers in Okuama community of Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14.
The soldiers, who were from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were deployed in the community on a peace mission following the escalation of a communal crisis in the area.
However, unknown gunmen ambushed the soldiers, killing them in what the Senate described as being “a most horrific manner.”
The committees were directed to liaise with the military authorities in conducting the investigation.
This came as the Senate observed a one-minute silence in honour of the slain soldiers and also urged the Federal Government to pay compensation to their families.
The Senate resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, and seconded by Sen. Edeh Dafinone.
The Senate further resolved to urge the “federal government to ensure that those responsible for the murder of the soldiers are identified, tried and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
It called for the recruitment and training of more policemen to take charge of their duties of maintaining internal security and allow the army to concentrate on its traditional role in the affairs of the country.
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The Senate also urged the government to carry out enlightenment campaigns on the civic responsibility of Nigerians.
Incidentally, the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who presided over Tuesday’s plenary, said he did not believe that the attackers were indigenes of the Niger Delta.
According to him, they might be “mercenaries” or “not even Nigerians.”
Akpabio, who interjected as debate on the motion progressed, noted that even in a war situation, citizens would take precautionary measures to avoid killing soldiers.
“Supposing they are not from the Niger Delta or they are not Nigerians? I don’t even believe that the killers are from the Niger Delta. We are not in a war situation. To lose 16 soldiers in one fell swoop is really worrisome”, he added
Leading debate on the motion, Yar’Adua called for justice for the slain soldiers, saying the incident brought to the fore more the need to reduce the involvement of the military in managing internal conflicts.
“The army is being asked to participate in internal security management due to the fact that the police are overwhelmed.
“But, our soldiers have now come under increasing attacks, resulting in colossal losses”, he stated
On his part, Sen. Osita Izunaso (Imo-West), sued for tolerance among Nigerians in their daily interactions.
“We must always ensure that in whatever we are doing, we must be tolerant of one another. The killing of the soldiers is regrettable”, the lawmaker stated.
Sen. Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa-West), while equally condemning the killing of the soldiers, drew attention to seeming reprisals in Egbomoto community,” in Southern Ijaw, where people are being killed. “
Dickson told the Senate he could not categorically say it’s the military that had done the revenge attacks, advising, “Let’s be cautious in apportioning blame for now until a full investigation has been completed.”
Making his contribution, former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe-North), described the killing of the soldiers as “a big loss to Nigeria.”
He spoke further, “What our military needs from us as citizens is support at all times. What they are doing is to keep us safe. So, let’s support them.
What happened in Delta was a well-orchestrated plan to kill our soldiers in a barbaric way.
“Again, we have to look into the issue of reducing the military from taking over police duties. Let’s recruit more police personnel and let them address issues that can be handled ordinarily by the police.
“The committee to conduct the investigation should clearly recommend what we can do within one year for the military and the police; to equip and train them to perform their duties.”
TheWitness
