The Board of Inquiry set up by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the March 17 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, Delta State, will begin sitting Wednesday in Warri.
Chairman of the Board, Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi, told Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Warri: “We are on a fact-finding mission and not to apportion blame. We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders, and community dwellers.
“This report will also help us to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relations and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities.”
But Okuama leaders have said the people would not be part of the inquiry.
One leader said: “Our people cannot participate in the military inquiry because Okuama people are displaced in the bush. How can people come out to attend such meetings? They are not even safe now.”
The community’s lawyer before the March 14 incident, Ejedegba Innocent, said Okuama people would not attend the sitting.
However, a leader of Okoloba community, which has a land dispute with the Okuama, said his people would participate in the inquiry today.
The panel would sit in the morning, and meet with Okoloba community leaders from 2 pm and move to Bayelsa State on the issue on Friday.
The Delta State Government said it would present a position paper to the military inquiry.
The Pere (traditional ruler) of Akugbene-mein Kingdom, Bomadi Local Government Area, HRH Kalanama VIII, said his community was not invited to the sitting.
