The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has suggested that the perpetrators behind the tragic killing of 15 soldiers in Delta State may be of foreign origin.
The attack, which occurred on March 14th during a peace mission to the Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, has sparked concern and prompted a swift response from the Senate.
During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Senators Abdulaziz Yar’Adua and Edeh Dafinone brought forth merged motions addressing the incident. Akpabio, sharing his insights, speculated that the assailants could be mercenaries, emphasising that Nigeria is not currently engaged in warfare and casting doubt on their local origins.
Following deliberations, the Senate mandated its Committee on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to collaborate with military authorities to ascertain the underlying causes of the “dastardly act.” The chamber also urged the Federal Government to ensure swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators, paying tribute to the fallen soldiers with a moment of silence.
While the Senate rejected proposals to extend condolences to the families of innocent civilians who may have also perished in the attack, citing uncertainty surrounding their numbers, it did approve compensation for the families of the slain soldiers. Additionally, there were calls for increased police recruitment to prevent the military from being overly involved in civil matters.
Notably, a request for relief materials for the affected community by the National Emergency Management Agency was turned down.
Nevertheless, the Senate underscored the urgency of compensating the families of the deceased soldiers, a motion championed by Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau and supported by Senator Tony Nwoye.
