The Council of Urhobo Traditional Chiefs, CUTC, has called for the setting up of a high-powered and impartial investigative panel to look into the remote causes of the recent killing of military personnel in Okuama community of Delta State.
The Council in a statement by the President, Olorogun Ekure Felix and Patron, Olorogun Anthony Onogharigho, said the essence of the impartial panel is with a view to bringing the killers and masterminds of the dastardly act to justice.
“The Council of Urhobo Traditional Chiefs, a fully registered organisation, received with shock the killing of 17 soldiers who were said to be on peace and conflict resolution mission to Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state, last week Thursday.
“The Council of Urhobo Traditional Chiefs (CUTC), regrettably and totally condemn in its entirety the taking of precious human lives and equally sent her heartfelt condolences to the families of all those that lost their lives.
“The Council also calls on the State and Federal Governments to quickly set up a high-powered and impartial investigative panel to look at the remote causes of this ugly incident and to bring the killers and masterminders to justice.
“The Council urges the government to quickly intervene and ask the military to stop further reprisal attack on the Okuama community and its people, for the sake of the innocent aged, women and children, some of whom had lost their lives, homes and properties.
“The burning down of Okuama community, should not be the solution to ending this communal crisis. The Council therefore calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to prevail on the military to exercise optimum restraint and caution in their response and not forgetting their Rules of Engagement and Professionalism in interfacing the civilian populace at a time such as this.
“Finally, the Council calls on the State Governor, His Excellency, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately move to take actions on issues regarding security most important. Let peace return to Okuama,” the Council of Urhobo Traditional Chiefs.
