Okuama: I don’t believe the killers are from the Niger Delta – Godswill Akpabio speaks on the killing of 16 soldiers in Delta state

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed skepticism regarding the identity of those responsible for the killing of sixteen military personnel in the Okuama community, located in the Ughelli South local government area of Delta state last week.

During the plenary session held today, March 19, Akpabio responded to a motion put forward by Senator Edeh Dafinone, who represents Delta Central. Dafinone’s motion sought relief and assistance for the community members affected by retaliatory attacks following the soldiers’ deaths, as they were on a peacekeeping mission in the area.

Following reports of houses being burned down and multiple casualties over the weekend, Akpabio urged Dafinone not to jump to conclusions. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain the perpetrators of the heinous act before making any definitive statements.

‘’I don’t want you to conclude. I don’t believe these people are from the Niger Delta – those who did the killings. We respect men and women in uniform, that is why I am saying that your additional prayers should actually be ‘to carry out a thorough investigation to know whether these people were mercenaries from outside Niger Delta who came to commit this crime because I don’t think these people are Niger Deltans.

We are not at war. Even in the face of war, to lose such number of personnel…. No community will go to the extent of doing this kind of thing. I don’t think they are from Niger Delta. I think the first point should be that we should first establish the culprits who committed this crime. We must take it seriously. Supposing they are not from Niger Delta? Supposing they are not even Nigerians? And we now come and talk about giving relief materials to …people should pay for the consequences of their crime. I will not support relief material”