Delta Crisis: Tinubu grants Military ‘Full Authority’ to bring Soldiers’ Killers to Justice

President Tinubu commiserated with the Nigerian armed forces over the death of the soldiers, who were ambushed on Thursday while responding to a crisis in Delta State.

President Bola Tinubu has given the Nigerian military “full authority” to bring those behind the Thursday killing of 12 soldiers and four army officers to justice.

Mr Tinubu, in a statement he personally issued on Sunday, vowed his government “will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria.”

The killing occurred on Thursday during a rescue mission in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Troops were responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State when they were ambushed.

A commanding officer, two majors, one captain, 12 soldiers and one civilian were killed in the attack. The soldiers are believed to have been killed in Okuama community where many houses were razed Sunday morning. It is not yet clear if it was soldiers on a revenge mission who razed houses in the community but most residents are believed to have fled to a neighbouring community before the houses were razed.

Mr Tinubu, on Sunday, commisserated with the armed forces over the death of the soldiers.

He expressed his “profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.”

“The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people,” the president wrote.

Read President Tinubu’s full statement below:

STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF NIGERIAN SOLDIERS ON A PEACE MISSION TO OKUAMA COMMUNITY IN DELTA STATE

On Saturday morning, the Nigerian people and I woke up to the dreadful news of the unprovoked killing of our brave military personnel during a rescue mission in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when our troops, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, were ambushed. A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and twelve soldiers sadly lost their lives. One civilian was also killed.

As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.

I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.

This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage, and uncommon grit and patriotism.

As a nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our nation safe, strong, and united. The officers and men who died in Okuama community have joined the pantheon of great men and women who gave their all, with honour, in the service of our fatherland.

Members of our armed forces are at the heart and core of our nationhood. Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act.

The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.

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My government will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria.

May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep members of our armed forces safe.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria