The Chairman, the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Prof Godini Darah, has said it was wrong for only the Nigerian Army to pass judgement over the gruesome murder of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
According to Vanguard, Prof Darah said, “Without delay, the Federal Government should set up a legally and morally credible commission of inquiry to investigate the conflict. The inquiry will afford everyone a free and unfettered opportunity to contribute to a fair and just resolution.
“In exercise of its constitutional authority, the Government of Delta should also establish its investigation body on the Okuama incident. It is not proper to let only the Army adjudicate in this matter. The justice-loving global community will hold Nigeria responsible for any abuses of fundamental human rights under arbitrary and illegal military action. The inquiry will afford everyone a free and unfettered opportunity to contribute to a fair and just resolution.
“The Chief of Defence Staff spoke confidently that the Army knew those behind the tragedy; he also promised that the Army would get the suspects and bring them to justice. But it would appear that the Army has ignored that path and is more concerned about carrying out vengeful and punitive action against the Okuama community and other ‘persons of interest.’ Okuama is under military siege, the public has no information about the situation there. There is fear that ‘Okuama is no more’. Does this imply that they have liquidated or destroyed the entire community?
“Within the period, the military raided some neighboring communities, apparently in pursuit of suspects; the country home of Chief Edwin Clark at Kiagbodo was raided. President Bola Tinubu announced posthumous honors for the dead military personnel at their funeral at Abuja . However, I do not think Nigeria’s laws give the military the prerogative to take arbitrary and punitive measures against any group or persons. The Defence Headquarters of the Army reportedly announced eight names as “wanted persons” in connection with the tragedy. Which Nigerian law permits the Army to exercise this power?
“Okuama has been under military siege for about two weeks; are all the people believed to be culpable? There must be a humanitarian corridor to allow food and other emergency relief to reach innocent victims trapped in the siege. Nigeria is a signatory to international conventions on human rights and the protection of life.
