- Tinubu: Slain soldiers will receive national honours, befitting burial
The Movement for the Survival of the Niger Delta Region(MSND) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct a combine crack-team of the Nigeria Police, DSS and the intelligence formation of the Nigerian military to beam searchlight on the Bayelsa State Government House vicinity allies in order to help track down a key suspected mastermind of the tragic killings of four army officers, and twelve soldiers in Okuama Community of Ughelli South, Delta State.
The MSND in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital alleged that the kingpin in the sordid drama that led to the sad murder of 16 military personnel in
Okuama-Ewu which shares close borders with Okoloba Community in Bomadi LGA, is one Endurance Okodeh, alias Amangbein, who was one of the key political thugs allegedly used by allies of Governor Douye Diri to escalate tension in the riverine communities of Bayelsa State and thus leveraged upon that to successfully tilt the last governorship polls in the state in favour of Diri.
The Movement which insists that it is non’-Partisan warned that the activities of this notorious militant and criminal gang need to be arrested “as it would carry out more deadly acts against the federal government and its agents. ”
The statement added: ” The Federal government should zero in on the root cause which is illegal oil bunkering and militancy by this notorious Amangbein. He is allegedly responsible for the criminal death of these officers…and soldiers. Hence we are calling on the President to ask the military and the police to go out in search of this notorious criminal who merely hid under the guise of Okuama/Okoloba differences to perpetrate this dastardly act. He was used by forces close to Gov Douye Diri in the last election and we suspect these same elements are shielding him within the vicinity of Government House or thereabouts…”
This development is coming just as Tinubu promised to accord the fallen officers and men befitting burial and have pist-humous national hnours conferred on them.
Tinubu disclosed this at the breaking of the Ramadan fast on Wednesday in Abuja with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House, the President said while oversight is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, excessive summoning of officials can disrupt operations and hinder service delivery to citizens.
Addressing the gathering, the Commander-in-Chief commiserated with the military and the families of the deceased, assuring that the dead victims would also get what he described as a befitting burial.
He, therefore, urged lawmakers to show discretion in the exercise of their oversight functions.
“The baby step being taken by our country is doing well. The sacrifices we have made and we ask the people to continue to make, assuring them that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.
“All you have to do is to have faith. Pls don’t forget your constituencies, remember what they are going through. We salute all our men and women in uniform and we sympathise with them.
“I will soon make further pronouncements. They must have a befitting burial and they must have national honour.”
He expressed confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to uphold good governance, lauding the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.
According to Tinubu, the harmonious working relationship had resulted in the expeditious passage of several bills to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
The President also urged the legislators not to forget their constituencies and to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to show compassion and support the less privileged in society.
