Hon Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei
By Comfort Olayinka
The member Representatiing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Hon Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei, has condemned the hideous killing of sixteen Nigerian Army amongst which are Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, a captain and others.
“There is no gainsaying that the gruesome and unprovoked murder of sixteen officers and men of the Nigerian Army consisting of a Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, a captain and twelve other men of the military by criminals in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is one of the worse things to have happened to our gallant soldiers in recent history.”
While addressing newsmen at the National Assembly in Abuja,Hon Rodney said the unfortunate incident has had ripple effects across boarder communities and neighbouring state of Bayelsa.
“I am sadly compelled to issue this press statement following the callous and senseless murder of these officers who were said to be on their line of duty at Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State which event spilled into Igbomotoru, a hitherto peaceful community in my FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, Southern Ijaw which is more than one hundred and fifty nautical kilometres from Okuama and in less than twenty-four hours spilled into Igbomotorumy Federal Constituency. This led to the invasion of the once serene community by men said to be of the military in search of the perpetrators of the heinous crime at Okuama. The aftermath of the invasion was the destruction and killing of some innocent and peace loving citizens of IGBOMOTORU community which is rather unfortunate and saddening.”
He acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian Army to gather intelligence even as he admonished the force to be circumvent in carrying out its functions.
“I am aware that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to gather intelligence within a short period. The execution of such intelligence reports should be done with utmost caution to minimize collateral damage to innocent and law abiding citizens. I say this, bearing in mind the invasion and carnage that took place in Odi, November 1999 following the killing of some soldiers and policemen which remains fresh in our memories. Caution and professionalism must be the watch word to forestall unpleasant and regrettable consequences in the approach to bringing the culprits to book.”
As a patriot Nigerian, Hon Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei used the opportunity to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, for their swift interventions while calling on the people to be vigilant and report suspicious movement to the appropriate law enforcement agents. He also solicited for palliatives from the Federal Government, International Organizations and spirited individuals to ameliorate the suffering of the people resulting from this crisis.
