The crisis unfolding in Okuama community, located in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, has captured the attention of leaders and stakeholders across the Niger Delta region.
The unrest was ignited by the tragic killing of 17 military personnel, which prompted a swift military response, resulting in a siege on the community and widespread displacement.
Voices from diverse sectors, including traditional rulers, retired security officers, clerics, and activists, have united in urging the Federal Government to intervene decisively to address the escalating tensions.
Retired Air Force officer, Wing Commander P.Y. Biakpara, expressed dismay over the situation, emphasizing the importance of adhering to rules of engagement and cautioning against the careless use of the military.
Biakpara stated, “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.”
The Pere (traditional ruler) of Kabowei Kingdom in Patani Local Government Area, Delta, HRM (Barr) Shadrach Peremobowei Erebulu, Aduo III, echoed the sentiment, urging the military to exercise restraint in their operations and avoid harming innocent civilians.
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He emphasized the importance of thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators while cautioning against actions that could exacerbate tensions and lead to further violence.
The traditional ruler articulated, “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,” he added. #Delta
