Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has charged traditional rulers not to shield suspects involved in the killing of four military officers and 13 soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
Oborevwori gave the charge on Thursday when he addressed traditional rulers in the state on the unfortunate incident at the State Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat in Asaba.
He said that the act was alien to the state, describing it as “barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable” and vowed that those who committed the evil act must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He said that no kingdom should shield the perpetrators of the dastardly act, adding that Delta was governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency.
“On February 7, we summoned the people of Okoloba and Okuama communities in Bomadi and Ughelli South Local Government Areas including the members representing the two constituencies in the State House of Assembly.
“We also invited the Council Chairmen and their Presidents-General where we advised them that a lot has been happening in their area and they signed a peace accord.
“The killing of these Army Officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to us and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Staff because I was in Abuja.
“I came back and issued a press statement.
“On Monday, I went to Bomadi to meet with all the security chiefs, where we had our security council meeting and I got briefings from the Brigadier Commander.
“In attendance was the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Jamil Abdussalam and the JTF Commander, Rear Admiral John Okeke,” Oborevwori said.
He added, “After the meeting, I went to Abuja to meet with Mr. President to brief him on what happened.
“I also went to see the Chief of Army Staff to discuss with him. I also met with the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police.
“I felt that it is also proper that I brief you people even though you may be aware. Those people who commit that evil act must face the wrath of the law.
“No kingdom should shield those criminals because Delta state is governed by the tenets of the law and human decency.
“We cannot tolerate that. It has never happened in this state; to kill one Lt. Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 Soldiers. We need to fish out those involved. Do not hide or shield anybody.”
He said that the Chief of Army Staff and Mr President had assured that innocent people would not be victimised.
“Unless you connive with the killers of the soldiers.
“I have briefed you and made sure that you fish them out from your kingdoms. If any traditional ruler shields a criminal, that traditional ruler is inviting trouble.
“We did not bargain for this evil act but for peace, I don’t want a crisis. I have also received information that two other villages are boiling to fight, they should not fight, we want peace in all our communities,” he added.
Responding, Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, (Rtd), said that they were on the same page with the governor to ensure peace and security in the state.
He, however, called for a judicial panel of enquiry to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the crisis, adding that the security of various kingdoms would dovetail with the security of the state and the nation.
In a related development, Gov. Oborevwori also briefed the State Advisory and Peace Building Council and urged them to talk to the people about the need to maintain peace across the state.
He said the government would not allow troublemakers to dissuade investors from coming to invest in the state, adding that sustainable peace was needed to attract investors to the state.
Chairman of the Council, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, lauded the governor for his efforts at ensuring peace and security across the state, adding that the Council members supported the peace-building moves of the governor.
He, therefore, appealed to communities across the state to give peace a chance for the overall growth and development of the state.
Meanwhile, Niger-Delta women have also joined peace loving people of the state to plead with the suspects in the soldiers killing episode to surrender
The Niger-Delta Women Professionals urged the suspects involved in the killing of soldiers from 181 Amphibious Division in Okuama community in Delta, to surrender to the military authorities without delay to restore peace to the troubled communities.
The call is contained in a statement by the President and General Secretary of the group, Augusta Wariboko and Dr Agnes Tari, on Friday in Abuja.
They also called on people in Okuama and the environs to cooperate with and give security agencies the necessary information to effect the arrest of the culprits.
The group said that members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had made so much sacrifice for the country, adding that they did not deserve such wickedness.
They described the killing as unacceptable and capable of truncating the peace in the region.
The women's group said the military had played a pivotal role in building peace in the region, especially using a Non-kinetic approach, saying the killing must be condemned in all ramifications.
They also declared their support for the ongoing efforts to capture the leader of the militant group and his members responsible for the heinous crime.
“We support the investigation ordered by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, to get to the root of the problem.
“It is important the culprits surrender to the military authorities immediately.
“We urge residents of Okuama and its environs to pass on useful information to the security agencies.
“We, women in the Niger Delta are vehemently against the atrocious conduct of the militant group. What has happened doesn’t represent the people of the Niger Delta.
“We are totally in support of what Gen. Musa and his troops are doing, especially in tackling oil theft,” the group added.
Source: NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
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