Monarchs, retired security officers, clerics, and activists in the Niger Delta, Sunday, urged the Federal Government to direct the Army to withdraw its siege to the embattled Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State to avert losses of more lives and douse tension in the oil region.
They also asked the criminals who killed 17 military personnel and snatched their weapons on March 14 at Okuama to devise a means to return the arms and ammunition to the appropriate authorities.
The stakeholders, who observed that the Army had no business going to Okuama for peace talks over a communal dispute between two communities, suggested the Federal Government sets up an independent commission of inquiry to find out what really happened at Okuama and how to avoid a recurrence.
The leaders also advised government to withdraw soldiers from other communities in Delta and Bayelsa states.
Those who spoke include the traditional ruler of Kabowei Kingdom in Delta State, HRM (Barr) Shadrach Peremobowei Erebulu, Aduo III; Wing Commander Patrick Biakpara, retd; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo, and environmentalist, Comrade Alagoa Morris.
Others are the Co-convener, of Embasara Foundation, an Ijaw Think-Tank for Good Governance; Iniruo Wills; ex-Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, president, Eric Omare; and the governorship candidate of Labour Party in the last elections in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri.
The Nigerian Army had since March 15, a day after the lawbreakers killed a lieutenant colonel, two majors, and others at Okuama, laid siege to the community and other neighbouring communities in search of the killers.Villagers, including women and children, had since fled Okuama and are stranded in the forests for over a week without food, as neighbouring communities, afraid of persecution by prowling soldiers, denied them shelter.
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