The Defence Headquarters held a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday to announce the names of eight individuals wanted for the brutal killings of 17 military personnel in Delta State. The killings have been described as a tragedy, with the Defence Headquarters vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The wanted persons include Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (known as Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Ogenerukeywe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.
In a tragic turn of events, 17 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion were killed in the Okuama community on March 14. The deceased included a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain, and 13 soldiers, all of whom were laid to rest in the National Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday. The funeral was attended by top government officials, governors, and service chiefs, all of whom paid their respects to the fallen soldiers. President Bola Tinubu spoke at the funeral, emphasizing the profound loss felt by the nation.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, spoke to journalists in Abuja, expressing the military’s resolve to prevent such tragedies from happening again. He called on members of the public to provide information that could help authorities track down the suspects. Maj.-Gen. Buba emphasized that the military is committed to maintaining stability, both through kinetic and non-kinetic measures. As part of its outreach efforts, the military has been involved in the construction of Multipurpose Halls, Borehole Projects, and Medical Outreaches in various localities in Delta.