By Aaron Ossai and Disun Amosun
The lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Rodney Ebikebira Ambaiowei Tuesday called for caution and professionalism in handling the aftermath of the un-necessitated and gruesome murder of 16 military personnel of the Nigerian Army at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14th March, 2024.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on the cold blooded murder and reprisal actions being taken by the military in Igbomoturu, a spillover community in Southern Ijaw, Delta State, 150 nautical kilometers from Okuama, Rep Ambaiowei called for thorough investigation on both sides before measures are taken as is the case of the military moving into his Constituency to fish out the perpetrators of the killings.
“There is no gainsaying that the gruesome and unprovoked murder of 16 officers and men of the Nigerian Army consisting of a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, a Captain and 12 other men of the military by criminals in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is one of the worse things to have happened to our gallant soldiers in recent history.
“I am aware that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to gather intelligence within a short period. The execution of such intelligence reports should be done with utmost caution to minimize collateral damage to innocent and law abiding citizens.
“I say this, bearing in mind the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, in November1999 following the killing of some soldiers and policemen which remains fresh in our memories. Caution and professionalism must be the watch word to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book”, he said.
He then called on the good people of Igbomotoru and the entire Southern-Ijaw Federal Constituency, to be vigilant and participate actively in the security of their area by reporting strange movements in their various communities to the nearest law enforcement agents and warned parents against sparing the rod in order to keep their children and wards at bay.
Rep. Ambaiowei recalled the Odi community reprisal attack incident of 1999 and warned against a repeat where punishment for the action of a few was visited upon the whole community.
The lawmaker commiserated with the federal government and families of victims over the incident and thanked the Bayelsa and Delta States Governments for their swift response to the incident.
