By Austin Ogwuda
THE Military Board of Inquiry constituted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) headed by Air Vice Marshall AVM David Ajayi to investigate the ill -fated Okuama bloodbath in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta, Nigeria, has commenced sitting.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, the panel began its maiden sitting yesterday (Wednesday) at the Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri, Delta State.
The maiden sitting, which was scheduled for 2.00pm, however, started at about 3.45pm with six stakeholders from the Okoloba community in Bomadi local government area in attendance.
The Okuama community, which was the epic centre, was, however, not represented.
It was gathered that the Director-General, Political and Security Services in Delta, Mr David Tonwe under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration ushered the Okoloba stakeholders into the meeting room.
Reports said that the Board of Inquiry is expected to also be in Bayelsa State on Friday (tomorrow) in continuation of its assignments.
Delta State governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori had while receiving the Military Board of Inquiry earlier on arrival said, “I am very happy for this meeting taking place here today (Friday) in Warri. Most people who spoke about the issue did so out of ignorance because they lacked the true knowledge of the facts of what happened. Setting up this Board of Enquiry is a good one.
“In my M-O-R-E Agenda, we said we are going to ensure peace and security, and for the first time in a long while, we celebrated Christmas without any hitches and I must thank security agencies in the state for a job well done.
“In Delta State, there are two bodies we don’t play with; the Advisory and Peace Building Council and the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution- because they are doing a lot to ensure enduring peace in the State.
“I told the Secretary to State Government to invite the Okuama/Okoloba people. So, l made it mandatory that the Chairmen of Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Councils to be in attendance, the members of the State House of Assembly who are representing the constituencies should also be in attendance and the Presidents- General of the communities should be in attendance.
“That meeting was held on the 7th of February and they signed a peace accord. So, we were not expecting anything negative when the Military went there for a Peace Mission.
“In Delta State, we don’t encourage crisis. So, we want to assure you that which ever information you people want, we will give it to you and we will also come with our Position Paper to submit to you people before you leave.
“That will also guide you on the role that we have played as a state because if we don’t come with this position paper, you will not know the role that the state has played”, stated the governor.
Responding, Chairman of the Board of Enquiry, Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi told the governor that “We are here as a fact- finding mission and not to apportion blame. We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders and community dwellers.
“This Report will also help to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relations and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities.”
He called on the Governor to assist the Board in its probe assignment to ensure that relevant stakeholders are invited to the give account of what led to the crisis.
…… Oba of Benin decries Soldiers’ killing
In a related development, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II has condemned the recent killing of the 17 Soldiers at Okuama.
He expressed his concern over the ugly incident while receiving the Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, on a courtesy visit to his palace in Benin City, Edo State.
Brigadier-General Ebenezer assumed duty at the 4 Brigade headquarters in Benin City on 12 January 2024.
Said the Oba, “I think the Army should be appreciated by Nigerians a lot for what they are doing. I want to quickly express our condolences to the Army on the killings that happened recently in Okuoma. It was terrible.
“We have heard different versions of what happened. Whatever story they are going to say doesn’t really justify the soldiers being killed like that.
“I think Nigerians should support the Army. The Army is being seen to be disciplined. It is a force to be reckoned with and should not be treated anyhow”, the reverred Oba Ewuare II stated.
Credit: NAN/PM News
