Patriotic Citizens Condemn Killing of 17 Soldiers in Delta, Sympathize With Families 

Patriotic Citizens for leadership and good governance Advocacy has condemned the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta state. 

The group also extended there condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

In a statement issued and made available to journalists through the convener, Comr. Achem Chris said it is a ridiculous attempt to justify their crime, other than turn in themselves to the appropriate quarters.

While urging the military to exercise restraint in their operations in Okuama to prevent harm to innocent civilians, Comrade Chris commended leadership skills of The Chief Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja for not giving orders to bring down the communities involved. 

According to the statement "It is in a solemn gesture of empathy that we all gathered here today been 18th of March 2024, to sympathize and also extend our heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Army and The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja in the wake of the tragic demise of 16 soldiers in Okuama community of Ughelli south Local Government Area (LGA) in Delta state. 

"It is therefore, also with a heavy heart, we want to convey our profound sorrow over the loss of these patriots and sympathize with their families and the Defense Head Quarters (DHQ) over these fallen soldiers (HEROES) who lost their lives in the line of discharging their duty to motherland towards ensuring that there was a peace between the two warring communities over land dispute; Okuoma community and Okoloba community respectively."

"As we advocate for peace and calmness in Okuoma community, we also in all sincerity sue for justice and thorough investigation, towards apprehension and prosecution of those possibly involved in carrying out this heinous crime."

"Instead of resorting to media propaganda and shenanigans of discrediting the over stretched Military of revenge on the innocent citizens of Okuoma community, we appeal for an engagement in exploring all professional tactics towards fishing out those involved in perpetrating this heinous act". 

"We strongly condenm in in totality any form of falsehood peddled by these criminals in disguise of a civil group and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the general public to support the sacrilegious crime of their armed youths gang."

"it is a ridiculous attempt to justify their crime, other than turn in themselves to the appropriate quarters. We already know their gimmicks to attempt in arm-twisting the narrative; they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law."

"Moreso, we want to specially cease these opportunity to commend The Chief Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja for not towing the usual path of the former military leaders who at one point find themselves in this position and situations, by just giving orders to bring down the communities involved as we've seen in the past, but rather assuring the law-abiding citizens to go about their business that their will be no reprisal attack on the part of the troops, even though as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds."

"This alone in a civil society has shown how a well trained and responsive military is behaving in a democratic settings of government".

"We therefore, ask that other military leaders should learn from this great general called Lt. General Lagbaja."

While counting on the cooperation of all sub command structures of the military towards ensuring the safety of innocent lives and property in Okukuama village; may the soul of the faithful departed rest in peace, Comrade Chris concluded.