Abuja, March 18, 2024 – The Nigerian Army has warned members of the Okuama Community in Delta State against any form of propaganda in the bid to arm-twist the narrative of the gruesome murder of 16 of its personnel by some irate youths of the community.
Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army Spokesman, gave the warning in a statement on Monday.
He said the community had resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans against the military, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime,
Nwachukwu said this act by the community was a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.
“The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to cover up, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety.
“It is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies.
“There is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative, they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.”
Nwachukwu assured law-abiding citizens that the military would not engage in reprisal attack.
He also enjoined the people to go about their normal activities “as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds.”
He said the Chief of Army of Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Toareed Lagbaja had since commiserated with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives.
“The COAS has directed that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of these gruesome acts are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“Troops are determined to get to these criminals, there is certainly no hiding place for them,” Nwachukwu said.
The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army were killed on Thursday by irate youths while on a peace mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi local government areas of Delta State. (GBN)
