Journalists plying their trade in Delta, especially in Warri, the commercial nerve centre of the state, were, on Wednesday, told that they were not invited to be part of the proceedings.

The Director-General, Political and Security Services in Delta, Mr David Tonwe, disclosed the message on Wednesday hours after the pen pushers had waited endlessly for the commencement of the sitting.

Tonwe pointedly told journalists, who had been waiting patiently for the proceedings to start, that they were not permitted to be part of the meeting.

Recall that the Defence Headquarters had constituted the military Panel of Inquiry to investigate the 17 officers and soldiers murdered in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta recently.

The panel had convened on Wednesday for its maiden sitting at the Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

The meeting, which was scheduled for 2:00 pm, however, started at about 3:45 pm with six stakeholders from the Okoloba community, Bomadi Local Government Area in attendance.

Representatives of the Okuama community, which has been reportedly levelled by military soldiers after the killing of the soldiers, were conspicuously absent.

A section of the state and other stakeholders had earlier insisted that an independent panel of inquiry should be constituted to dig into the tragedy that befell the 17 officers and soldiers as well as Okuama community but this was not heeded.

Our correspondent recalled that the slain officers and soldiers included a Commanding Officer, two Majors, a Captain, and 13 others.

They were reportedly ambushed and murdered on March 14, 2024, while on a purported peacekeeping mission to Okuama community.

Okoloba and Okuama communities had allegedly been embroiled in an aged-long land dispute.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta had, last Friday, received the military panel of inquiry at the Governor’s Office Annexe where he called for a transparent investigation into the killings.

The governor had assured the military panel that the state government would provide them with whatever information they needed.

He, however, warned that innocent citizens should not be made to suffer any further.

“We will also come up with our position paper to submit to you people before you leave.

“That will guide you on the role that we have played as a state because if we do not come with this position paper, you will not know the role that the state has played,” the governor said.

Chairman of the Panel of Enquiry, AVM David Ajayi, had also been enthused that the panel was in the state to investigate the unfortunate incident that happened at Okuama.

“We are here on a fact-finding mission and not to apportion blame. We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders, and community dwellers.

“This report will also help to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relations and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities,” he said.

Ajayi had called on the governor to assist the panel in its assignment to ensure that relevant stakeholders were invited to give account of what led to the crisis.

The panel of inquiry is expected to be in Bayelsa on Friday in continuation of its assignment. (Nigerian Tribune)

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