Mike Ejiofor, a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) has suggested an independent investigation into the killing of 17 Nigerian Army personnel in Okuama community.
Recall that suspected youths of Okuama attacked and killed a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion.
According to Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, the acting Director of Defence Information, the military personnel lost their lives while on a peace mission to the community on Thursday.
Subsequently, there were reports of troops invading communities on Sunday and Monday, resulting in further violence, including the destruction of properties.
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Ejiofor, speaking on Channels TV, raised concerns about the deployment of 17 military personnel, including the Commanding Officer, to mediate a land dispute.
According to him, there was need for a thorough and objective inquiry to shed light on the reasons behind the deployment.
He urged the Federal Government to establish a high-powered, independent investigation to address the situation and provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the deployment of these military personnel.
The Former Director said:
“The federal or state government should set up this or harmonise: the state government brings representatives, the federal government brings representatives to form a very high-powered, independent investigation that will come up with an objective report of what happened because as it is now, people are scampering, some people that might be indicted in this investigation, because a lieutenant colonel, two majors cannot on their own just move out on a peace-keeping mission in a community.
“There is so much to this incident that must be found out. The military is a party interested; they cannot undertake such an investigation.
“By now, the Federal Government or the state government must have set up an investigative panel to look into this matter because time is running out.
”We need to get to the root of this matter to know what really happened.
“If there is a peacekeeping, two parties must be involved; people from the two communities must be involved and a neutral ground will be taken, possibly the local government headquarters, if you are talking of peace initiative.”
