“To the perpetrators of violence who seek to sow division and fear among our people, know this: our resolve will not waver. We will hunt you down, we will bring you to justice, and we will restore peace and security to every nook and cranny of our dear nation. Your evil actions may cause pain and suffering, but they will never extinguish the spirit of unity and resilience that burns within us. You will surely pay.”

These were the words of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, while addressing the guests, families and friends of the 17 slain soldiers in Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Council of Delta State.

His facial expression depicted anger and rage as he spoke at the event. Turning to the families of the murdered soldiers who were at the event, he noted that words could not ease their pains. He, however, urged them to find solace in the knowledge that their loved ones made an indelible mark on Nigeria’s history.

Few days after the burial of the soldiers, more facts have emerged on why the CDS and indeed the military are angry over the killing of their colleagues in Okuama.

A military source, who spoke with The Guardian, revealed that their anger in the whole scenario is that their colleagues were butchered like animals.

“There is no way the military will not get to the root of the matter and apprehend those who killed our colleagues. Our people (colleagues) are being killed in the North East and North West daily and we are not bothered because we are at war with terrorists.

“We are looking for them and they are looking for us. But for a community we are not at war with to surprise us in the most brutal manner, ‘wallahi’ we are seriously angry. We hate surprises in the military.”

Investigations showed that the military all over the world dislike surprises as it is a principle of war. Elements of surprise are only used against the enemy.

The source stressed that in the case of the Okuama killing, the Nigerian soldiers cannot be described as enemies of the community as all their activities in the South South region are meant to ensure peace in that area and put an end to oil theft.

A counter-insurgency expert in Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, who was at the cemetery during the burial of the soldiers, said it was not just the military that are angry over the unprovoked killing of the military men.

His words: “Their crime was just going into that community to call for peace. Their colleagues were justifiably angry because if the slain soldiers had known what they were going to face in the hands of that community, it would have been a different story.

“They are angry because of the nature and manner they killed the soldiers and mutilated their bodies. They are angry because the military is not at war with the community.

“They are angry because all members of the community, including the traditional ruler, who by the way has been declared wanted for the crime, allegedly collaborated in killing the soldiers.

“Some will say the traditional rulers may not be aware of what was coming and I say it is a lie because the first team of four men led by Major Shafa was already killed even before Lt. Col. Ali arrived. That means they killed those ones and pretended as if nothing was happening.

“Even from the day the incident happened, some media organisations had started posting misleading information, saying the army was planning to carry out a massacre of the innocent people to discourage the troops from going after the killers.

“But they were never discouraged, because the instruction was very clear from the C-in-C to the CDS, to the COAS and all Nigerians – go after the killers and bring them to justice.

“If the military had allowed this callous effrontery to go, it would have demoralised the entire men and soldiers who are fighting for their country. A soldier will now be feeling that he is an endangered specie and that even if he is killed in such circumstances, nothing will happen to the perpetrators.

“The senior officers will also not be putting their best efforts in their beats and that will be a disaster. But with response they have seen through the commitment of the Service Chiefs to never letting it go unpunished and the National Honours given to the slain personnel including education scholarship to their children and houses by Mr. President is enough to rekindle the hope of every member of the armed forces that their sacrifices are not in vain.”

He noted that apprehending the real killers of the soldiers would be easy.

“The perpetrators have been identified and the security agencies with support from sister agencies are working to get them. Getting them is easy, no matter where they are hiding. And the military will never stop going after them because they are holding what does not belong to them: AK47 rifles, uniforms of its personnel, boots and other belongings. We are told that one of the suspects who made the wanted list reported himself to the Nigerian Police yesterday. So, that means progress is being made already.”

A top consultant In military image-management, who sought to remain anonymous, said the military has every reason to be angry.

“They are angry because of the embarrassing and shameful deaths of both the leadership and the whole Battalion of Special Forces, an Amphibious Battalion – all being beheaded? This is a monumental national disaster and worse than what happened at Odi,” the source noted.

Speaking in the same vein, former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Lagos, Major General Abel Umahi (retd), said the killing of soldiers is a painful betrayal.

“If a soldier dies in the hands of the defined enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians, it is the supreme sacrifice every soldier signed up to. But when soldiers are killed by their brothers and friends they are toiling to protect and defend, it can be scandalously painful.

“The killers have made themselves enemies of Nigeria. By all standards, they should be arrested to face the full weight of the law. However, the arrest can only be made possible if the leaders of the affected communities work hand in hand with the law enforcement agencies.

“But as things stand now, it appears the killers are seen by their people as freedom fighters. If this is the case, finding them will be as evasive as the sun in Hawaii at the peak of winter season,” he said.

The military high command has declared eight persons, including a woman, a traditional ruler and a professor wanted over the ugly incident.

Making the declaration at a press briefing, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, noted that troops would continue with their efforts until the culprits are found, arrested, tried and brought to justice in accordance with Nigerian laws.

“The banner of eight wanted persons involved with the killing including a woman is hereby released. Accordingly, it is necessary to state that citizens are our first line of intelligence and must rise to the occasion in honour of their nation,” he said.

Last Friday, the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo in Ughelli South Local Council, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo Urhukpe 1, who is among those declared wanted by the military, reported at the Delta State Police Command Headquarters in Asaba and was flown to Defence Headquarters, Abuja, for further interrogations.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, who confirmed the development, said the suspect has been handed over to the military authorities for further investigations.

He said: “Yes, I can confirm to you that the wanted traditional ruler has been handed over to military authorities. He is no longer in our custody. The handover process was concluded this morning.”

A top military brass told The Guardian that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pronouncement of welfare package for the families of the deceased soldiers has helped to boost the morale of personnel.

“The president surprised everyone. The declaration of welfare package on that day was really historic. He has shown that he is a great father of the nation,” the source said.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, had cautioned traditional rulers in the state against shielding suspects linked with the killing.

Oborevwori gave the warning when he addressed traditional rulers at the state traditional rulers’ council secretariat in Asaba, the state capital, recently. (The Guardian)

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