In the event that there are no alterations, the interment of the 17 military personnel who lost their lives in Okuama, Delta State, will proceed as planned today, Wednesday. The deceased include the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers from the battalion, all of whom perished on March 14.
The fatalities took place while responding to a distress call amidst tensions between the Okuama and Okoloba communities regarding a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma. Unfortunately, the soldiers were ambushed by angry youths during the communal conflict.
The aftermath of the incident was revealed in reports, which detailed the horrifying acts committed against the soldiers. Some were discovered beheaded in nearby rivers, while others had suffered mutilation, with their stomachs and hearts torn out.
This gruesome manner of their deaths received widespread condemnation from various authorities, including President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Senate, and the defense headquarters.
President Tinubu, in particular, denounced the incident as an assault on the nation and called for the swift apprehension of the perpetrators by security agencies.
In response, the Nigerian Army announced that the fallen soldiers would be laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, with President Tinubu attending the ceremony as the Special Guest of Honor, representing his role as Commander-in-Chief.
Prior to this, Tinubu had expressed his outrage over the killings, describing the perpetrators as “cowardly” and emphasizing the need for justice. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the fallen soldiers, stating that as the Commander-in-Chief, he mourned their needless deaths along with all well-meaning Nigerians and the armed forces.
Tinubu assured that the military leadership was taking action to address the situation and emphasized that those responsible for the heinous crime would face the full consequences of their actions.
