killing of soldiers in Delta may be handiwork of mercenaries-Akpabio

Senate President, Sen Godswill Akpabio, has said that those involved in the killing of soldiers in Delta State may be foreigners.

Some armed men had on Thursday, March 14, attacked and killed 17 personnel of the Nigerian Army during a peace mission to Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking on Tuesday during a debate on two merged motions by Senators Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, APC, Katsina Central, and Edeh Dafinone, APC, Delta Central, Akpabio opined that those who killed the soldiers may be mercenaries.

He said, “We are not at war. I don’t think they are from the Niger Delta. They may be mercenaries.”

Days after the incident, Akpabio, who presided over a plenary session on Tuesday in Abuja, stated those responsible may be mercenaries.

Dafinone who represents Delta Central, had raised a motion calling for relief and assistance to victims of the attack. But Akpabio interjected, telling the lawmaker not to conclude yet.

“I don’t want you to conclude. I don’t believe these people are from the Niger Delta – those who did the killings. With respect to 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,” he said.

“I don’t think these people are Niger Deltans. We are not at war. Even in a period of war [you do not] 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.”
Worried by possible fear of reprisal by the military, coupled with the mounting tension since the gruesome killing, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, had on the same day met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Oborevwori says military authorities have assured him of the safety of residents of the community.