I don’t believe Nigerian Army’s claim that Delta youths massacred soldiers - Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disagreed with the Nigerian Army’s claim that armed Niger Delta youth killed 16 soldiers in Okuama.

He said this on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 during plenary. According to Akpabio, the residents respect security agencies and would not military personnel.

“I don’t think these people are Niger Deltans. We are not at war. Even in a period of war to lose such a number of wars. No community will go to the extent of doing this kind of thing,” the Senate president explained.

“I don’t think they are from Niger Delta. I think the first point is to establish the culprit who committed this crime.

“I don’t want you to conclude. I don’t believe that those people who did the killings are from Niger Delta,” Akpabio said.

Adding that, “Because we respect men and women in uniform. That’s why I’m saying your additional prayer should be to carry out a thorough investigation to know whether these people were mercenaries from outside Niger Delta.”

The Senate President called on the authorities to investigate the killing of the soldiers and reveal the identity of the killers.

Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu has urged the armed forces to fish out the killers of the soldiers in Okuama in Ugelli LGA.

Reacting to the killing, the Ministry of Defence also condemned the killing of 16 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion at Okuama in Ughelli South LGA by youths of the community.

The statement released said;

“Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

“This, again, is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces. There is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative; they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.”