Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN on Sunday made an urgent call on the Federal Government to immediately halt the reprisals by irate soldiers who had burnt Bomadi village and it’s environs over the killing of four officers of the Nigerian Army and 12 other soldiers.
Rather, Falana urged the Nigerian Army to isolate and prosecute the murderers of the soldiers.
Falana said: “On 14th March 2024, the troops of the 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on peace mission to Okuoma community in Delta State were surrounded by some irate community youths. In the unprovoked attack that ensued, the Commanding Officer, 2 Majors, a Captain, and 12 Solders were reported to have been brutalised and murdered in a gruesome manner;
We join the members of the civilised humanity in condemning the brutality meted out to the military officers and soldiers as they were deployed for peace keeping mission to resolve the crisis in two warring communities in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state. We are , however, pleased to note that the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.
We have confirmed that in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Gwabim Musa, some of the gunmen involved in the heinous crime have been arrested. The Delta State Government, the respective local governments, and the leaders of two warring communities should assist the police to identify and isolate the remaining reckless murderers and unravel the motive behind the heinous crime;
Unfortunately, some villages were attacked last night by angry soldiers. After the attack the villages were set on fire during the nocturnal military invasion. Having regard to the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over killing of soldiers the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected villages. It is unfortunate that the Federal Government has not issued any statement on the barbaric incident.
In view of the tragic turn of events, I call on the military authorities to halt the destruction of the properties of innocent people in the warring communities. It ought to be pointed out that collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law. Therefore, the Delta State Government should ensure that the murder suspects and arsonists among the civilians and soldiers are fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the society.
Once again, I commiserate with the bereaved families of the slain officers and soldiers. Since they were brutally killed in the course of duty the Federal Government and the Delta State Government should compensate the dependants of the deceased military officers and soldiers. Compensation should also be extended to the victims of reprisal attacks by angry soldiers”.
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