Senators, Service Chiefs Hold Private Meeting Over Killing of Soldiers

An investigative hearing into the horrific massacre of military soldiers in the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State began on Wednesday with the appearance of service chiefs before the Senate Joint Committee, which comprises the Army, Navy, Defence, and Air Force committees.

To honour the fallen soldiers, a minute of quiet was instituted.

The subject matter is so delicate that the joint committee chairman, Ahmed Lawan, has announced that the investigative hearing would take place in private.

General Christopher Musa represented the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during the meeting, which was attended by Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

Tuesday, the Senate mandated an investigation into the murder and instructed its Committee on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to communicate with military officials in order to uncover the immediate and distant reasons behind what it called “a wicked deed.”

The names of the 17 service members murdered during a peace mission to the area’s feuding towns were disclosed on Monday by the Defence Headquarters.

According to the Defence Headquarters, 17 individuals were murdered, including the 181 Amphibious Battalion’s commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and twelve battalion members. This information was released days after the horrific massacre.

There has been persistent condemnation of the horrific murder from Nigerian officials. The president, Bola Tinubu, branded the incident as a “national attack” and ordered the security forces to apprehend the perpetrators.

The families, friends, and coworkers of these fallen warriors have my deepest sympathies. A response to this occurrence has already been initiated by the military’s highest command. Those gutless criminals will face the consequences of their horrific act.