Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, is bearing the brunt of the murder of 16 military personnel last Thursday by some youths of the besieged village<<<READ FULL ARTICLE>>>
Soldiers including an Army Commander, Lt. Col, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers, who were reportedly on a peace mission, were killed by irate village youths.
On Sunday, many houses were on fire in Okuama as the community had practically been deserted before the assault.
The tragic incident brings to fore what happened in 1999 and 2001 respectively when soldiers laid to waste Odi in Bayelsa and Zaki-Biam in Benue state over the killing of military and police personnel by villagers.
In the Zaki-Biam tragedy, Human Rights stated at that time that over 100 civilians were murdered by Nigerian soldiers in several villages.
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How Zaki-Biam unfolded
Militia of the Tiv ethnic group were believed to have been responsible for the abduction and murder of 19 soldiers, whose mutilated bodies were found in the village of Zaki-Biam on October 12. According to official statements, the soldiers had been deployed to the area to restore law and order following clashes between the Tiv in Benue state and Jukun ethnic groups in neighboring Taraba state.
Following the murder of the 19 soldiers, the military operation began on Monday, October 22, when soldiers from the 23rd armored brigade of the 3rd armored division of the Nigerian army rounded up residents in Gbeji village for a “meeting,” made them sit on the ground, separated the men from the others, and then opened fire upon the men indiscriminately.
Witnesses reported that some of the victims’ bodies were then set ablaze.
Records indicate that further killings took place as soldiers invaded the villages of Vasae, Anyiin Iorja, Ugba, Sankera and Zaki-Biam, all located in the two local government areas of Logo and Zaki-Biam. In the following two days, there was widespread destruction of property and buildings in these villages, after terrified residents had abandoned their homes.
While the total number of victims has not yet been established, survivors and eyewitnesses have reported that at least 100 and possibly more than 200 people died at the hands of the soldiers. Thousands of people have been displaced or have fled into the bush for safety.
The killing of the 19 soldiers was energetically condemned by the Nigerian federal government. At their state funeral on October 22, President Olusegun Obasanjo publicly urged the security forces to spare no effort in tracking down those responsible.
The Odi tragedy
Like in the Zaki-Biam massacre two years later, 12 police officers were murdered by a gang near Odi, seven on November 4, 1999, and the remainder in the days after.
In retaliation, the military invaded the village on November 20, 1999, and close to 900 civilians were reportedly killed.
Every building in the town except the bank, the Anglican Church and the health centre was burned to the ground.
For Okuama, the fire this time
Like in the two previous unfortunate incidents, Okuama is facing the fire of the indiscretion of some of its youths and the community is almost burnt to the ground.
The tone for the military incursion seemed to have been set when the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime.
Reactions trail destruction by soldiers
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the destruction of Okuama community in Delta State due to the killing of solders.
In a statement on Sunday, Falana called for an end to attacks on innocent citizens, saying collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.
He said, “Yesterday, I condemned the brutal killing of a group of military officers and soldiers in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State which occurred last week. I called for the immediate prosecution of the suspects who have been arrested for their involvement in the heinous crime. I also appealed to the military authorities to prevent soldiers from unleashing reprisal attacks on the communities in Bomadi Local Government Area.
“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 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
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“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.
“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.”
Also, the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Clement O. Ikolo, has expressed sadness over the development.
He said on Sunday, “It is a very sad time for our kingdom. These military men are people who are there to protect our nation, they should be held in high esteem. They are there to protect us from people who are there to invade or to commit enormous crimes.
“It is very sad that the same people who are there to protect us will be killed in the process. It is disheartening and I totally condemn it. May their souls and souls of the faithful depart through the mercy of God rest in peace<<<READ FULL ARTICLE>>>
