By Douglas Princemola
In response to the tragic loss of 16 soldiers on a peace mission in the Okuama community, the Nigerian Army issued a stern warning, emphasizing that attempts to manipulate the narrative through propaganda would not succeed. They cautioned the community to prepare for the legal consequences of their alleged involvement in the crime.
A statement released by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, underscored the Army’s belief that the community’s collusion in the soldiers’ killings had prompted them to resort to media manipulation rather than cooperate in apprehending the perpetrators. The statement, titled “Condemnation of Okuama Community’s Propaganda in Response to Tragic Murder of Troops on Peace Mission,” reassured law-abiding citizens that the Army had no intention of retaliation.
The Army’s mission in the community primarily aimed to identify and apprehend the criminals responsible for the heinous act. The statement expressed disgust at the brutal manner in which the soldiers, dedicated to maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta Region, were mercilessly murdered by an armed youth gang from the Okuama Community. It condemned the desecration of their remains, emphasizing that the soldiers had been deployed to protect the very people who betrayed them.
Moreover, the statement denounced the community’s attempts to distort the truth and garner sympathy to cover up their crime. It emphasized that no amount of propaganda could alter the facts, and those complicit in the soldiers’ murders must face the consequences of their actions. While affirming that there would be no retaliatory measures from the Army, the statement urged citizens to carry on with their daily activities as efforts to apprehend the perpetrators intensified.
Finally, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja, extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and vowed to spare no effort in bringing the culprits to justice. Troops were mobilized to ensure that those responsible would face the full force of the law, leaving no room for evasion.
