•CDS Christopher Musa
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday accused monarchs in Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Areas of Delta State of complicity in the massacre of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army three weeks ago.
The DHQ added it found out that the “hands and private parts ” of the slain military personnel were removed by the killers whom it claimed extended the proceeds of “pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal refineries” to some of the traditional rulers, reports The Nation.
It also said “human sacrifices” were being carried out in those areas by the criminals to demonstrate that they had the ability to kill”.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa made these known while being featured on a national television programme.
Youths believed to be from Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South ambushed and murdered the military personnel comprising the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers on March 14.
The troops were reportedly responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuama and neighbouring Okoloba in Bomadi Local Government Area.
The military operatives were buried last week with full national honours.
A week ago, the DHQ declared the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo, and seven other suspects wanted over the killings.
Ikolo, who surrendered himself the same day to the police in the state, has since been moved to the Army Headquarters in Abuja for questioning.
Shedding light on the killings yesterday, the CDS said: “They (monarchs) cannot say that they do not know what is going on there.
“I am sure that you know that since they murdered the soldiers, there are a lot of human sacrifices ongoing on in those areas and they (monarchs) are part of them.
“Their actions are just a way of saying they have strength and that was why they were able to kill the soldiers.
“I have heard the Urhobo leaders talking. I have very serious respect for elders but I would also like elders to speak from a position of strength.
“We know that a lot of people knew what was going on and kept quiet and that makes them complicit.
“Maybe the detained monarch (Ikolo) did not take part directly, but he will not tell us he does not have the knowledge or understanding of what was going on (in Okuama).
“Those residents of the communities know these criminals. Some of them benefit from their illegal acts. But investigations will unravel most of these things.”
The CDS explained that the slain commanding officer went to the Okuama unarmed because the team was on a peacekeeping mission.
“When he (commanding officer) tried to talk to them (the community members), they (troops) were rounded up and shot. And not only shot, their body parts were cut, and their hands and private parts were removed. I think that’s what all Nigerians should stand up against,” he said.
Gen. Musa added that the hoodlums murdered the troops because they were succeeding in destroying illegal refineries and stopping crude oil theft in the Niger Delta
His words: “The attack (against the soldiers) was premeditated just because the group of criminals, cultists and militants that make a lot of money from crude oil theft believe they are above board.
“They murdered our men deliberately just because the commanding officer and his team were ensuring that any acts of pipeline vandalisation, crude oil theft, and illegal refineries were completely eradicated from that region.”
The Defence chief claimed that the hoodlums had been using the proceeds from their illegalities to procure arms and ammunition.
In Asaba, the Delta State capital, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, charged the media to refrain from amplifying the activities of non-state actors.
“Terrorists, insurgents and other deviant groups thrive on attention and exploit propaganda to instil fear in law-abiding citizens,” Lt.Gen. Lagbaja said at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat, First Quarter 2024.
His keynote address at the event was delivered by Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdusalam, general officer commanding, 6 Division/Land Component Commanding, JTF, Southsouth operation.
“The killing of the troops was executed in the most barbaric and cruel manner which is unacceptable and condemnable.
“I, therefore, take this moment to urge the media to refrain from inadvertently amplifying the activities of these undesirable elements,” Lt. Gen. Lagbaja appealed.
In Warri, Enugu and Abuja, Ukoko r’ Ivie Urhobo (Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers), the Nigerian Peace and Development Advocates and a Niger Delta peace and development advocate, Mulade Sheriff, condemned the killing of the troops but called for a thorough probe.
The Ukoko r’ Ivie Urhobo argued in a statement that an independent investigation of the incident “is the only way the truth can be revealed” and future occurrences averted.
The statement titled “Save our Soul” was signed by the chairman of the council, Emmanuel Sideso and Secretary, Richard Ebelle.
Calling on the relevant authorities to pave the way for the safe return of Okuama indigenes to their homes, the council urged all residents of the troubled communities to remain “calm and law-abiding.”
It condemned the detention of the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom (Ikolo), saying it believed that he was innocent.
