Nigeria’s House of Representatives has urged the country’s Army to respect international protocols in handling the aftermath of the killings of its 17 personnel in Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, so as to avoid putting the lives of innocent citizens in jeopardy.
This decision followed a matter of urgent national importance by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, on the need to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators of the act, raised on the floor of the House on Tuesday.
The lawmakers noted that if not checked, acts like this can demoralise the personnel of the Nigerian military in the fight against insecurity.
Contributing to the motion, the lawmaker representing
Ughelli North/South/Udu Federal constituency of Delta State, Francis Waive noted that the military must exercise caution in handling the situation so as to avoid further reprisal attacks.
The House immediately mandated its Committee on Defence to investigate the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the 17 soldiers while working with relevant authorities to bring all perpetrators to book.
Editor: Ken Eseni