The Nigerian military has refuted claims of carrying out a reprisal attack on Okuoma community in Delta state, where 16 of its officers were killed by youths over the weekend.
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General Christopher Musa, the Defence Chief, in a response sent to Reuters, denied that the military had initiated an attack on the community in retaliation for the brutal killing of the soldiers.
“No reprisals by the army. We are searching for the murderers and their weapon cache,” Musa stated.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 14, when the 16 soldiers, including a commanding officer and three other officers, were deployed to Okuoma community to resolve a land dispute between two warring factions. However, they were ambushed and killed by armed youths in the community.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, allegations emerged that some men in army uniforms had ransacked and burnt homes in Okuoma community on Sunday, March 17, purportedly in retaliation for the soldiers’ deaths.
A video depicting houses in the community ablaze went viral on social media, fueling speculations of a military reprisal attack.
However, General Musa’s statement categorically denied any such retaliatory action by the Nigerian military. Instead, he emphasized that the military’s focus is on tracking down the perpetrators responsible for the heinous crime and seizing their weapons.
The gruesome killing of the soldiers has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, including the Nigerian Senate, which has vowed to support the necessary investigations and legal processes to ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.
The Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army has commended the swift response of the Chief of Defense Staff in directing an immediate investigation into the incident and pledged its unwavering support to the Defense Headquarters and the Nigerian Army in seeking justice for the fallen heroes.
As the search for the culprits continues, the Nigerian military has reiterated its commitment to upholding peace and security in the nation, while also emphasizing the need for justice to be served in this tragic inciden
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