The preservation of peace and security is paramount for the progress and prosperity of any society. However, there are unfortunate incidents that remind us of the fragility of peace. One such incident occurred on March 14 in the Okouma community of Bomadi Local Government Area in Delta State. On that fateful day, 16 soldiers, including Lt. Col. Abdullahi Hassan Ali, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers, lost their lives in a heinous attack while they were engaged in the noble mission of brokering peace between warring communities. This tragic event shook the nation and left a lasting impact on the collective conscience of the people.
Nigeria, like many other countries, has faced numerous challenges related to communal conflicts and violence. Okouma community, situated in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, has been a hotbed of communal tensions and clashes for years. These conflicts have often resulted in the loss of lives and displacement of people.
The soldiers who were deployed to Okouma community were part of a special forces unit entrusted with the responsibility of establishing peace and stability between the warring factions. Led by Lt. Col. Ali, a highly respected and experienced commanding officer, they embarked on their mission with the hope of fostering reconciliation and ending the cycle of violence that had plagued the region.
Tragically, what was meant to be a mission of peace turned into a day of horror and bloodshed. On that ill-fated day, the soldiers were ambushed by a group of youths from the Okouma community. Armed with sophisticated weapons, these youths unleashed a barrage of gunfire on the unsuspecting soldiers, leading to the loss of lives, including the commanding officer and other high-ranking military personnel.
The aftermath of the attack was one of shock, grief, and anger. The nation mourned the loss of these brave soldiers who had selflessly dedicated themselves to the cause of peace. The Okouma community, too, was left in a state of shock, as the attack not only claimed the lives of soldiers but also cast a dark shadow on their aspirations for a peaceful future.
The heinous killings of the 16 soldiers in Okouma community had far-reaching implications for both the immediate community and the nation as a whole. Firstly, it shattered the trust and confidence between the military and the local communities. The incident raised questions about the security apparatus in place and the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts. It also highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution.
Secondly, the attack had a profound psychological impact on the families of the fallen soldiers, as well as the military fraternity. The loss of loved ones and comrades left a void that will never be filled. The sacrifice made by these soldiers in pursuit of peace must be honored and remembered.
Thirdly, the incident exposed the underlying socio-economic challenges and grievances that contribute to communal conflicts in the country. It underscored the urgent need for holistic approach, addressing issues such as poverty, unemployment and criminality. Only through addressing these root causes can sustainable peace be achieved.
In the wake of this tragic event, it is imperative that justice be served. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be identified, apprehended, and brought to trial. The legal process should be transparent and thorough, ensuring that all those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
While justice is a vital component, it is equally important for politicians to avoid making reckless and unguarded comments. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Tuesday during plenary when the Senate resolved to constitute a committee to unravel the circumstances behind the military personnel’s killings that the killers of 16 soldiers may be foreign mercenaries, not Nigerians.
His words: “I don’t want to conclude that these people are from Niger Delta because we respect men and women in uniform. That’s why I’m saying that your additional prayer should be to carry out a thorough investigation to know whether they were mercenaries outside Nigeria, who came in to commit this crime because I don’t think these people are from Niger Delta.
“We’re not at war. Even in the field of war, to lose such a number of personnel, no community will go to the extent of doing that kind of thing; I don’t think they’re from Niger Delta…”
This statement could pass as an attempt by the former Akwa Ibom governor to shield his fellow Niger Deltans from blame. Due to the influential position he occupies in the Nigerian power hierarchy, Akpabio should have waited for the proper agencies to conclude their investigations before making sentimental comments.
I don’t think the senate president knows the implications of his statement as his words, besides trivializing the issue, can be taken as official government position on the matter. Indeed, the attack has exposed the security challenges facing the country. It raised concerns about possibility of foreign mercenaries operating in our shores – that’s if you take Akpabio’s comments seriously – and the availability of sophisticated weapons in the hands of non-state actors, as well as the need for better intelligence gathering and surveillance mechanisms to prevent such attacks in the future.
This incident should act as a catalyst for renewed efforts to address the underlying causes of communal conflicts, strengthen security mechanisms, and foster a culture of peace and reconciliation. The sacrifices made by these brave soldiers should never be forgotten, and their memory should inspire us
