By – Arthur Nwakanma
The gruesome and mindless murder on Thursday, 14th March, 2024 of military personnel who were on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Ughelli South local government of Delta state have drawn the ire,displeasure and umbrage of the nation. There have been several condemnation of the unconscionable and ignoble act and palpable fear of reprisal attacks by the army to avenge the death of their comrades in arms.
In swift reaction to the mood of the nation, the senate invited the service chiefs who appeared before the senate joint Committee on defence, army, Navy and airforce, for an investigative hearing on the unfortunate and senseless killing of the service men.
Addressing the national assembly correspondents right after the session, Distinguished Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, who doubles as the chairman senate committee on navy raised some fundamental issues. He opined that the security agencies should avail themselves of the vast possibilities offered by technology and artificial intelligence in tracking down undesirable and criminal elements. He commended the armed forces for the onerous jobs they are doing in protecting lives and property. He also emphasised the importance of Delta state because of the critical assets of the nation therein. He fervently appealed that the criminals should be caught and dealt with according to the law, and no innocent citizen should be made to suffer unjustly. He pledged that the armed forces shall be supported with additional funding to enable them to carry out their statutory duties of protecting the territorial integrity of the country from external aggression and internal insurrection.
We commiserate with the military and the families of the fallen soldiers. May their souls find peaceful repose.
