Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has condemned the brutal massacre of 16 personnel of the Nigerian Army last Thursday in the Okuama and Okoloba communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State.
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, stated this on Tuesday in a release issued in Enugu.
He said that in less than one year, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced that 36 officers were killed in Niger State in an ambush of troops by bandits.
According to him, there were other instances that casualties have been recorded by Nigerian security personnel in an effort to carry out their legitimate duties of protecting lives and properties.
He stated that the incidents of incessant deadly attacks by the civilians on the military, which is the last line of defence, was a very worrisome paradox.
He said: “The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has described as barbaric the gruesome killings of innocent, faithful and gallant soldiers who were on call to duty.
“Iwuanyanwu commends President Bola Ahmed for his prompt reaction to the unfortunate incident and urges the Presidency to leave no stone unturned to fish out the savage culprits, adding that it will serve as a deterrent to many others.
“While commiserating with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the NA and the bereaved families of the fallen heroes, the Igbo Leader advises the Nigerian Army and indeed Nigerian security operatives to maximise their skills to minimise or outrightly avoid casualties of the security operatives on duty.”
