The former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retired), has called for extensive analysis and dialogue concerning the recent killings of soldiers in Delta State.
A total of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers and 13 soldiers, were tragically killed by enraged youths during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in the state.
The soldiers, attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed and killed on March 14.
Addressing attendees at the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Irabor emphasized that there was no justification for the brutal manner in which the military personnel met their demise.
He stressed the need for further dialogue on restricting assistance to civil authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“The recent tragic incident in Okuama, where we lost our courageous and dedicated officers and soldiers, demands deeper analysis and discussion. Their deaths in such a barbaric and savage manner cannot and will never be justified. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must face the full force of the law. To prevent future occurrences, there must be ongoing discussions on the limitations of support to civil authority,” Irabor stated.
Irabor cautioned against the military’s overextension in non-kinetic operations, highlighting the potential dangers for the nation if the military’s integrity is compromised.