…Murder Of Soldiers In Delta Exposes Flaws In Military Training, Discipline — Security Experts …There Should Be Reforms In Military, Civilian Relationships — Community Leader.READ FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>>
The recent tragic incident in the Okuama region of Delta State has sent shockwaves throughout the country, as it not only resulted in the loss of precious lives but also exposed disturbing flaws in military training and discipline. On Thursday, March 14,, a group of heavily armed assailants attacked a military team, mercilessly killing soldiers tasked with safeguarding the waterways. As investigations continue and the nation mourns the fallen heroes, concerns are raised about the effectiveness of military training programmes and the state of discipline in the armed forces.
SUNDAY APAH
reports on the true story behind the incident.
The first time such killing of security personnel occurred was in November 1999, when a gang of militants massacred some policemen and soldiers in Odi, Bayelsa State. Odi was later destroyed by the military in a non-war situation.
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According to security experts, the incident in Okuama, Delta State, serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers that armed forces personnel face daily. “These soldiers willingly put their lives on the line to protect the country’s sovereignty, but the recent tragedy exposes the flaws within their ranks.
“It has raised concerns about our armed forces’ preparedness to deal with such audacious attacks, as well as the critical need for improvements in training methodologies and discipline enforcement,” Dr. Chikelu Okoli, a security expert and member of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, told the Saturday INDEPENDENT.
One aspect that stands out is the effectiveness of military training programmes in instilling the necessary skills and tactics to counter such acts of aggression. The ability to react quickly, make split-second decisions, and engage in effective combat becomes critical in such life-or-death situations. While our soldiers are unquestionably brave and dedicated, the incident in Okuama raises concerns about whether they are adequately trained to deal with such unexpected and well-coordinated attacks.
Dr. Okoli went on to say that the murder of soldiers in Okuama, Delta, and the alleged reprisal attack on the community should serve as an urgent wake-up call to the military establishment and society as a whole. It calls for an immediate and thorough review of existing training programmes, rigorous evaluations of command structures, and a complete overhaul of disciplinary measures. The fallen soldiers deserve nothing less than the nation’s commitment to learn from this devastating event and take concrete steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He imagined how a 16-member military contingent team, including senior officers, could be so brutally murdered.
Okuama, located in the Ewu Kingdom of Delta State’s Ughelli South Local Government Area, is a historically significant community on the banks of the majestic Forcados River. Surrounded by the Ijaw communities of Ogodobri and Okoloba, this tranquil enclave has been marred by a long-standing land dispute, casting a pall over its residents’ peaceful coexistence.
Recent events, culminating in a former NIMASA boss’s alleged construction of a shrine on the disputed land, sparked tensions within the community, ultimately resulting in the tragic deaths of three Okuama youths, Igho Meshack, Power Awusa, and Okiemute Agbabulaka.
The community’s subsequent outcry, captured in a petition dated January 29, 2024, addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, reflects their fervent plea for justice and peace. While the petition went unanswered, the ongoing conflict resulted in continued killings by both communities, until the people of Okoloba claimed that Okuama had kidnapped one of their sons, Mr. Anthony Aboh.
According to local sources, the situation escalated when an Okoloba community member was allegedly held hostage, prompting a former militant leader in the Niger Delta who now has a good relationship with security agencies to contact one of the service chiefs for help. According to sources, it was this service chief who allegedly directed the top military officers to conduct a rescue and peace mission in the area.
On Thursday, March 14, an allegation surfaced that a manager from a well-known security firm sent some of their personnel, as well as a group of young people, to Okuama in two gunboats for what was allegedly a peace negotiation with the community chairman and other leaders. The community greeted them warmly and offered kola nuts as a gesture of hospitality, paving the way for a productive and peaceful dialogue.
Tensions rose when the military proposed detaining the community chairman and several leaders for further questioning following the peace talks, which sparked public outrage. The people’s refusal reportedly enraged military personnel, prompting them to open fire at the town hall during a meeting with community members, resulting in casualties among the population.
Sources from the Okuama community did not explain the community’s role in the heinous killing of the 17 later that day but did reveal that on March 15, the military returned for a second attack, setting fire to houses in the community and forcing residents to flee. The deaths of the 17 soldiers remain a mystery to this day, as various accounts of the events leading up to their deaths conflict with one another, and the magic behind the civilians who escorted them there and remained unharmed while all the soldiers died is also unknown. Security experts are questioning the military’s professionalism, discipline, and alertness.
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This mystery surrounding the dead soldiers’ peace mission raises many questions from the Urhobo Media Practitioners Advocacy Group (UMPAG), which also condemned the act but questioned the true mission of the soldiers to the Okuama and Okoloba communities; if the Ovie (King) of Ewu Kingdom and her subjects were informed of the military visit on a peace mission; and if the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was informed of the peace mission.
Why did the situation report come from DPO Bomadi rather than DPO Otu-Jeremi, and why would the military stationed in Bomadi go on a “PEACE” mission to Okuama in Ughelli South without the involvement of DPO Otu-Jeremi and local government officials? Why was the military “PEACE” mission allegedly escorted by Ijaw youths? How come, civilian members of the “PEACE” mission, survived to tell the story, but no military man did? If the King, PG, DPO Otu-Jeremi, and Local Government officials were not involved, who signed the peace accord?
Where did the alleged community gang obtain such sophisticated weapons to wage such war against the military men? Why were the police, DSS, and other sister security agencies excluded from the military peace mission to Okuama? Why was the military peace mission limited to the Okuama community? According to reports, the bodies of the slain military personnel were recovered from the Forcados River, while others were discovered in shallow graves. Who dumped the bodies in the river?
Meanwhile, an Okuama community leader told journalists that a former NIMASA official with significant influence in the opposing Okoloba community allegedly gave the military eight million naira to set off this tragic chain of events. He emphasised that the Army’s statement contains falsehoods.
A retired Army major-general added a new narrative to the Okuama incident, stating that to avoid such conflicts, non-state actors should not be given contracts to protect oil pipelines and other facilities, as this is one of the conflict areas between the military and oil-bearing communities.
The community leader, who did not want his name printed, stated that “On Thursday, two soldiers accompanied by numerous Okoloba youths dressed in military gear and wearing hoods forcibly entered Okuama. When they arrived at the town hall, they demanded to see the President General and the Youth Chairman. Many of the hooded individuals were Okoloba members, including some from the Okoloba Vigilante group, and the Okuama youths refused their demands.
“As they departed, they attempted to destroy the community shrine, but the youths stood firm in opposition. When they arrived at their boats, ostensibly to leave, they opened fire, killing two youths. In response, the youths returned fire, causing casualties on both sides. One of them admitted that a prominent individual had given the soldiers eight million naira for the operation. This is the truth of what happened.
“On Friday, soldiers arrived with twelve gunboats to burn down our community. Initially, there were five gunboats, which were later joined by seven additional military vessels. It is worth noting that many of the presumed dead soldiers were Okoloba boys dressed in military uniforms,” he explained.
Contrary to reports, the Nigerian Army issued a press release on Saturday claiming that 17 soldiers, including four senior officers and 13 junior personnel, were ambushed and killed. Many Nigerians condemned the military’s actions in burning down Okuama, despite the army’s denials; a video in circulation shows a well-equipped military man in a gunboat.
In his piece titled ‘Okuama is no more,’ Prof. Sunny Awhefeada stated that the Federal Government’s directive to the military to bring the criminals to justice was not only ill-advised but also a carte blanche.
“It was equivalent to telling the soldiers to “go destroy and kill,” and that is exactly what happened. Many innocent people have been killed, and survivors have been displaced, with no homes to return to.
“Okuama no longer exists! The government appears to lack memory. This occurred at Odi and Zaki Biam. Has the act been stopped? The Army Chief who ordered Odi’s destruction was from Zaki Biam. He was still alive when another Army Chief ordered the destruction of Zaki Biam. Nations do not evolve like that. Regardless of the provocation, the Army must learn to act professionally to maintain the citizens’ respect, trust, and cooperation.
“The Federal Government should launch an independent investigation into what happened at Okuama. The federal government should rebuild Okuama and compensate the survivors for returning to their ancestral homes. Okuama has passed away, so now is the time to do so,” he said.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ede Dafinone, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, House of Representatives Member Hon. Rev. Francis Waive, and Urhobo Traditional Rulers have all issued statements calling for an independent panel of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic killings of military officers. Their goal is to identify the underlying causes of the incident and propose effective solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While some are calling for an independent investigation into what happened in Okuama, others are calling for a review or reform of military training and orientation. This, they believe, is because a well-trained modern soldier or military personnel possesses a variety of characteristics and qualities that enable them to perform their duties effectively. These characteristics are critical for maximising individual performance and ensuring the success of military missions.
Dr. Okoli of the International Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, who believes that the military’s destruction of a community in search of gangs is a thing of the past, identified some of the key characteristics and qualities of a well-trained modern soldier. He emphasised the importance of soldiers being able to remain calm, focused, and resilient under duress. They must be able to think critically, make quick decisions, and adapt to changing conditions on the battlefield. Mental resilience enables soldiers to persevere in difficult conditions while maintaining their effectiveness.
“Well-trained soldiers demonstrate high levels of discipline and professionalism. They follow rules, regulations, and codes of conduct, demonstrating respect for authority and their fellow soldiers. This discipline allows them to perform their duties efficiently, adhere to standard operating procedures, and maintain the military’s organisational structure.
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“A well-trained soldier must have strong tactical abilities. This includes an in-depth understanding of military doctrine, weapon systems, equipment, and combat tactics. They must be able to effectively apply and adapt tactical concepts and strategies to achieve mission goals.
“The ability to work well as part of a team is critical for modern soldiers. They must be able to work seamlessly with their fellow soldiers while understanding their roles and responsibilities. Strong teamwork skills allow soldiers to coordinate actions, communicate effectively, and achieve common goals.
“Military operations frequently involve fast-changing environments with unpredictable outcomes. Soldiers who have received proper training must be adaptable and flexible to deal with a variety of challenges and unexpected situations. They should be able to quickly adjust their plans, tactics, and strategies as necessary.
“In the modern military landscape, soldiers frequently use advanced technology and equipment. They must be technologically proficient and trained to use communication systems, navigation tools, surveillance devices, and other modern equipment. “Technical proficiency ensures soldiers can use advanced capabilities to their advantage,” the security expert added..READ FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>>