‘We’ll hunt down killers of soldiers, officers in Delta community’, DHQ vows

CDS Christopher Musa

Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters has assured that its is still hunting for killers of 17 personnel of the armed forces in Okuama community, Delta State to ensure that they are brought to justice.

The Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru said this while briefing journalists on the operations of the military across the country on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The 17 personnel of the Nigerian Army were killed in an ambush by suspected militants while they were on the way to help resolve communal conflict in Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, on March 14.

The killers had in a grotesque manner, beheaded some of the soldiers and mutilated the remains of others.

However, Onumajuru assured that the military is working towards making sure that troops are properly protected while carrying out activities following the unfortunate killing of officers and soldiers in Okuama community while speaking to journalists on Tuesday.

“I want to assure you that the killers of 17 personnel of the armed forces will not go unpunished and we are hunting those responsible; we are looking for them,” Onumajuru said.

He said that the military would ensure that troops were always configured in such a way that no matter the situation, their ability to defend themselves would be respected.

“Do you remember how long it took to get Osama Bin Laden. So, we are working on getting the killers of the 17 military personnel. No matter how long it takes, we will hunt them down.”

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“It may take time, no doubt, but the military will surely bring them to justice, as directed by Mr President.

“Aside working on that, we are also working towards making sure that our troops are properly protected.

“We want to ensure that troops are always configured in such a way that no matter the situation, that force production element, that ability of the troops to defend themselves, while carrying out activities, is respected,’’ he said.

On the Tundun Biri drone incident, Onumajuru said that the military had improved its civilian harm mitigation programme while ensuring that the community was up and running.

He said that the federal government had commenced a settlement scheme for persons impacted by conflict in the village and delivered relief materials to the community.

According to him, Kaduna State Government is also constructing a 5.5-kilometer asphalt road that will lead to the Tudum biri community with its surrounding villages and towns.

“The military, on our part, have been able to station a permanent deployment in that location, which has increased the security around Tudun Biri and adjoining areas.

“As part of our civil military activities, we have been able to carry out medical outreach in Tudun Biri and the military has also taken out boundaries permeating the area, making it much safer.

“ We are committed to make sure that our operation fully has plans for civilian harm mitigation,’’ he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)