Nigeria’s President paid homage on Sunday to 16 soldiers who lost their lives on a mediation mission to resolve conflict between two communities in the country’s oil-rich southern Delta state, pledging to hold the culprits accountable.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the “cowardly offenders” behind the attack, promising justice for the fallen soldiers.
“The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been empowered to ensure that those responsible for this atrocious act face the full force of the law,” Tinubu affirmed.
Tinubu also noted the loss of one civilian in what he described as “a direct assault on our nation.”
The Nigerian military disclosed on Saturday that the soldiers were ambushed in the Bomadi region on Thursday while attempting to mediate between the Okuama and Okoloba communities. Brigadier General Tukur Gusau explained that the troops had responded to a distress call, with tensions escalating over land ownership and fishing rights.
An ongoing investigation has led to several arrests, according to Gusau.
Elder Clement Koki from the Okoloba village emphasized the persistent threat posed by Okuama youths and “mercenaries.”
However, an Okuama resident, speaking anonymously, refuted the military’s account, alleging that most of the soldiers killed were Okoloba villagers disguised in military attire. He claimed they initiated the violence, prompting a defensive response.
Femi Falana, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist, urged the military to refrain from retaliatory actions against either community.
