Edwin Clark, the Ijaw Nation Leader and Elder Statesman has appealed to the Nigerian military to act maturely and refrain from taking the law into their hands regarding the murder of their colleagues in Okuama.
Clark’s appeal comes in the wake of alleged retaliatory attacks on the Okuama community, reportedly carried out by the military.
The Ijaw Leader urged the military to direct their efforts toward identifying the perpetrators responsible for the ambush and murder of military officers instead.
He said:
“What happened a few days ago is very shocking, very barbaric, wicked, and unforgivable.
“My appeal to our gallant soldiers is that they should act maturely, and not to take the law into their own hands. I know they are provoked, we are all provoked, but that’s not enough.
“There are innocent children, pregnant women everywhere. So, as far as I’m concerned, we should appeal to the military to take it easy.
“They have modern technology, they should be able to fish out very soon those who committed this crime.
“So, the grudge against the ordinary citizens, one would be angry that since such a thing happened in a place.
“So, one would not blame the army so much for whatever that must have happened, it’s all collateral damages. What I’m saying, enough is enough, the military should sit back.
“We’re all Nigerians, and those who must have been responsible for this, they are not many. They’re not many.
“Whoever hired them, wherever they come from, they should be fished out, that should be the main duty of the army.”
Last Thursday, members of the 181 Army Amphibious Battalion fell victim to an unfortunate ambush.
The Commanding Officer, along with two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, lost their lives while en route to the Okuama community.
Their mission was to facilitate peace talks between Okuama and Okoloba, who have been embroiled in a land dispute.
