At least three suspects involved in the killing of 17 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Nigerian Army, in Otuama, Delta State, have been apprehended. The arrests were made in Port Harcourt and the suspects have been transferred to Army headquarters in Asaba, where they are currently being held.
The development follows statements from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who vowed that those responsible for the heinous act would be brought to justice. Akpabio made the remarks during a debate in the Senate, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
In a related development, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori briefed President Bola Tinubu on the matter at Aso Rock, Abuja, assuring that the state is managing the tension caused by the killings and that there won’t be further attacks.
The House of Representatives has also taken action, mandating the Armed Forces of Nigeria to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome killings of military personnel. The House urged the Federal Government to identify, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators, while observing a minute of silence in honor of the fallen soldiers.
During the Senate debate, Senator Akpabio expressed skepticism about the origins of the attackers, suggesting they may not be from the Niger Delta region. He called for a serious investigation to determine if the perpetrators were mercenaries from outside the region.
Additionally, the Senate initiated a probe into the killings, tasking its committees on defence, army, navy, and air force to liaise with military authorities for more information on the incident’s causes. The Senate also called for the expedited recruitment and training of more police personnel to bolster policing efforts, with the Nigerian Army urged to fulfill its primary role in the country’s affairs.
As investigations continue and efforts to ensure justice progress, stakeholders are hopeful for swift action to bring the perpetrators to book and prevent further incidents of violence.
