By Ejime Udueme
Traditional rulers in Delta State have pledged to assist security agencies to fish out those involved in the killing of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army at Okuama community in Delta State.
Rising from a meeting of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers in Asaba, the royal fathers condemned in the strongest terms, what they called “unprovoked and barbaric attack by the Okuama Community which led to the death of the officers.
In a five-point communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Council Chairman and Orodje of Okpe, Major-General Felix Mujakpuero ( Rtd) , Orhue 1 , commiserated with the immediate families of the slain Officers, the Nigerian Army and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and prayed God to grant their souls eternal rest.
The Delta Monarchs called on the “Delta State Government to set up an independent investigative panel of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote cause or causes of the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba Communities.
The Royal fathers promised to cooperate and assist the military in fishing out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
They appealed to the Nigerian Army to carry out their search for the perpetrators of the dastardly killing of the gallant officers in line with global best practices.
The traditional rulers implored members of the public to stop peddling falsehood and unsubstantiated claims as such action can further exacerbate the already fragile peace in the state.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had earlier briefed the monarchs on the security crisis between Okoloba community in Bomadi local Government Area and Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Área of the state.
The meeting was attended by the immediate past chairman of the Council and Obi of Owa, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11, the First vice Chairman and Pere of Akugbene mien , Luke Kalanama V111 and the 2nd Vice Chairman and Obi of Ubulu – Unor, Agbogodi Henry Kikachukwu 1, among others.
NIM
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