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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Federal Government to put an end to the reprisal attacks by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta State.

Falana made this call in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Recall that some irate youths of the community reportedly ambushed soldiers who were drafted to the community to stop a communal clash in the area.

Fifteen bodies of the soldiers were recovered by soldiers of the Joint Task Force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at the Okuama community.

Some youths from Okoloba were said to have ambushed and killed three Okuama youths – Igho Meshack, Godspower Awusa and Okiemute Agbabuleke, over an age-long land dispute in the area as they were returning from Okwagbe.

In a reprisal attack, some Okuama youths on Wednesday reportedly ambushed one Mr. Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, and held him hostage.

But, operatives of the JTF swiftly swung into action and moved to Okuama to rescue the hostages.

Reacting to the development, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria urged the military to halt the killings of residents while calling for a full probe of the incident.

The senior advocate had, in a statement earlier released on Saturday night, condemned the brutal killing of the soldiers. He had also called for the immediate prosecution of the suspects who were arrested for their involvement in the crime.

Falana said, “Unfortunately, some villages were attacked last night by angry soldiers. After the attack, the villages were set on fire during the nocturnal military invasion.

“Having regard to the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over the killing of soldiers, the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected villages. It is unfortunate that the Federal Government has not issued any statement on the barbaric incident.

“In view of the tragic turn of events, I call on the military authorities to halt the destruction of the properties of innocent people in the warring communities. It ought to be pointed out that collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.”

Falana further stated, “Therefore, the Delta State Government should ensure that the murder suspects and arsonists among the civilians and soldiers are fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the society.

“Once again, I commiserate with the bereaved families of the slain officers and soldiers. Since they were brutally killed in the course of duty, the Federal Government and the Delta State Government should compensate the dependants of the deceased military officers and soldiers. Compensation should also be extended to the victims of reprisal attacks by angry soldiers.”

Meanwhile, on 14th March 2024, the troops of the 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on peace mission to Okuoma community in Delta State were surrounded by some irate community youths.

In the unprovoked attack that ensued, the Commanding Officer, 2 Majors, a Captain, and 12 Solders were reported to have been brutalised and murdered in a gruesome manner.

Reacting to the incident, Falana stated, “We join the members of the civilised humanity in condemning the brutality meted out to the military officers and soldiers as they were deployed for peace keeping mission to resolve the crisis in two warring communities in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state.

“We are , however, pleased to note that the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

“Having regard to the massacre of innocent people when the military invaded Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam in Benue State in similar circumstances, we commend the military authorities for resisting the temptation to subject the two warring communities to a reprisal attack. By all means, the army should avoid a repeat of the history of having multiple tragedies.

“We have confirmed that in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Gwabim Musa, some of the gunmen involved in the heinous crime have been arrested. The Delta State Government, the respective local governments, and the leaders of two warring communities should assist the police to identify and isolate the remaining reckless murderers and unravel the motive behind the heinous crime.

“While we commiserate with the Nigerian Army and the bereaved families of the slain military officers and soldiers, we call on the Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted into the case with a view to prosecuting the suspects without any delay,” he stated.