Chief Edwin Clark, the National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, has strongly condemned the tragic killing of senior military officers and soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta, on March 14, 2024.
On Thursday, at least 16 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, who were deployed to maintain peace amid community conflicts, were killed in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Clark characterized the killings as a “dastardly act” and demanded a thorough investigation. He emphasized that there should be no exceptions in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
The statement read in part “The National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum and Elder statesman, Chief Dr EK Clark, has received with shock and total condemnation the killing of senior military officers and soldiers at Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta on March 14, 2024.
“The elder statesman is personally pained by the fact that this occurred barely two days after he had spoken with the Commanding Officer of 181 Batallion in connection with preparations for the burial of his younger brother, Colonel Bernard Clark (retired), who was buried just on Friday, March 15, 2024.
“This dastardly act is totally unacceptable and must be fully investigated. There must be no sacred cows. The culprits must be brought to book as early as possible.”
The forum also commiserated with the families of the slain soldiers while encouraging security agents and agencies across the country to not be deterred by the development.
“PANDEF mourns the slain military personnel and commiserates with all the families and the entire Nigerian Army. PANDEF further urges the Nigerian Army and other security personnel around the country to continue with their great national service and not to be deterred by this present sad development. May their souls rest in peace,” the statement added.
