The Senate Joint Committees on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce held a closed meeting with the nation’s Service Chiefs over the recent killing of troops in the Okuoma community, Bomadi local government area of Delta State.
The meeting chaired by the former president of the senate Ahmed Lawan had in attendance the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
Senator Ahmed Lawan who is also the chairman Senate Committee on Defense, in his remarks at the investigative hearing by the Joint Committee, recalled that, “The troops of 181 Amphibious battalion, on Thursday, 14 March 2024, went on a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Delta State.
He stated that the troops on the peace mission to the Okuoma community in Bomadi local government area of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths, which resulted in the death of officers and men.
He described the killing of the 16 soldiers as “barbaric”, and appealed to Nigerians to support the Armed Forces by volunteering information that would lead to the capture and prosecution of those behind various forms of insecurity across the country.
Senator Lawan further underscored the need for the federal government to prioritise the issue of security
The probe panel was set up following two motions on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, mandating the joint committee to investigate the incident.
The upper chamber also urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.
Moments before the commencement of the meeting with the Service Chiefs, members of the Joint Committee observed a minute silence in honour of the 16 Military personnel killed in Okuoma community last Thursday.
The Senate also urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.”
The former president of the Senate says the National Assembly, will always support the military in combating crimes and criminality in the country.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
