The South South Governors Forum under the auspices of the BRACED Commission (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) has urged the federal government to always clarify the mission of troops deployed in the region.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Chairman of the South South Governors Forum; and the host, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, were in attendance. The absence of Senators Bassey Out and Umo Eno was conspicuous.

Reading the communique of the meeting to reporters, Governor Obaseki highlighted several key issues discussed by the governors. Firstly, they called on the federal government to clarify the mission of troops deployed to the region, particularly regarding their involvement in community, boundary, business or family disputes. The governors emphasised that such activities should not be part of military operations.

The governors condemned the killing of 17 military officers in Okuama community, Delta State, expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased and calling for a high-powered commission of inquiry to investigate the incident. (Daily Trust)