Monarchs, retired security officers, clerics, and activists in the Niger Delta, Sunday, urged the Federal Government to direct the Army to withdraw its siege to the embattled Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State to avert losses of more lives and douse tension in the oil region.
They also asked the criminals who killed 17 military personnel and snatched their weapons on March 14 at Okuama to devise a means to return the arms and ammunition to the appropriate authorities.
The stakeholders, who observed that the Army had no business going to Okuama for peace talks over a communal dispute between two communities, suggested the Federal Government sets up an independent commission of inquiry to find out what really happened at Okuama and how to avoid a recurrence.
The leaders also advised government to withdraw soldiers from other communities in Delta and Bayelsa states. Those who spoke include the traditional ruler of Kabowei Kingdom in Delta State, HRM (Barr) Shadrach Peremobowei Erebulu, Aduo III; Wing Commander Patrick Biakpara, retd; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo, and environmentalist, Comrade Alagoa Morris.
Others are the Co-convener, of Embasara Foundation, an Ijaw Think-Tank for Good Governance; Iniruo Wills; ex-Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, president, Eric Omare; and the governorship candidate of Labour Party in the last elections in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri.
The Nigerian Army had since March 15, a day after the lawbreakers killed a lieutenant colonel, two majors, and others at Okuama, laid siege to the community and other neighbouring communities in search of the killers.
Villagers, including women and children, had since fled Okuama and are stranded in the forests for over a week without food, as neighbouring communities, afraid of persecution by prowling soldiers, denied them shelter.
Retired Air Force officer, Wing Commander P.Y. Biakpara, said: “I am a military man and there are rules of engagement. Things start from the police and it is only when the situation goes beyond the police that the army is rarely called upon. If there is any small issue, one person will run to the army checkpoint and soldiers will go there, nonsense! That means our army has nothing to do!
“I am not happy about what happened at Okuama and I sympathize with the families of the lost heroes, as well as innocent civilian lives lost in this issue. I’m not happy about the whole thing.
“The government should be well advised that they should not use the military in this wrong way, they are using the military very, very carelessly. The military is not made to make peace, and even if they make peace, they will kill people to make that peace.
“They do not negotiate to make peace. To negotiate, they call in other people, so the military is misused, and we are paying the price for misusing the military.
“Of the military that I know, losing a weapon is the worst thing and they will go after those who took their weapons till they reach the end of the earth.
“So, my advice to the perpetrators is the more you keep their weapons, the more there will be problems and the weapons should be returned, even if it means returning them in such a way that they are not properly identified, let them return the weapons.”
Return arms, ammunition– HRM Erebulu, Kabowei monarch
The Pere (traditional ruler) of Kabowei Kingdom in Patani Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM (Barr) Shadrach Peremobowei Erebulu, Aduo III, said: “It is a sad incident that we never envisaged in our dear state that has been peaceful.
“My advice first goes to the youths involved in this incident, and I plead with them to return the military weapons to the appropriate authorities because their actions have caused innocent persons to lose their lives and habitation.
“When things like this happen, most times it is not even the perpetrators that feel the impact, it is innocent people in the community that become victims.
“So, I would call on the youths that have carted away the military items to submit them to the appropriate authorities.
“To the military, I urge them to employ their tactics in investigating and fishing out these persons. I know the military has a way they go about things, their intelligence. In doing that, let them be wary of attacking or hurting innocent persons because at times like this, you may not know the perpetrators.
“If innocent persons are affected, it turns the whole ball around, so they should not cause more problems in the communities.
“To the Federal Government, almost all parastatals and agencies have spoken on this issue that they would do their best to fish out the perpetrators. My advice to government is to walk the talk, and bring the needed peace in the area.
“The Federal Government should pay attention and set up a commission of inquiry to inquire into the happenings and causes of this ugly incident in Okuama community to bring justice to the people. At this stage, when we talk about justice, it is justice to the government, military; and people, which can only be achieved after proper investigation through the commissions of inquiry.’’
Peoplesmind
