NEWS
Delta Soldiers’ Massacre: Army Out On Tinubu’s Orders
The fury of the Nigerian Army unleashed on the errant communities around Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State is at the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Biztellers reports that the order was passed on Sunday upon which the troops moved promptly to comb the communities where about 22 operatives of the NA were massacred when they went on a peace mission.
In compliance with the order the military on Sunday commenced combing the warring communities, which has yielded the arrest of some persons, three of whom were identified prime suspects.
The President had ordered the Defence Headquarters and the Defence Chief to assert full authority to bring whoever was responsible for the malicious act to justice.
This is happening even as civil society groups and opposition parties, including presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 pools have been condemning the massacre of the military personnel.
Consequently, residents in Okouma and the environs have embarked on an exodus, including Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okolaba in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was gathered that soldiers who moved in on the order of the President recovered the mutilated bodies of their slain colleagues in the area.
The unfortunate soldiers were on a peace mission under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Jamal Abdussalam.
Those affected by the incident were a commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain, 12 soldiers, and one civilian lost their lives in the ambush on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
This happened because the soldiers came on a Joint Task Force (JTF) on a peace mission the neighbouring communities having been engaged in a communal land dispute since January 27, 2024.
It was gathered that some youths from Okoloba ambushed and killed three Okuama youths, Igho Meshack, Godspower Awusa, and Okiemute Agbabuleke, over an age-long land dispute in the area as they were returning from Okwagbe.
The corpses of the deceased were said to have been hidden by the assailants.
In the same vein, some Okuama youths on Wednesday reportedly ambushed one Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, and held him hostage.
This led to Chairman, Okoloba Community calling in the Divisional Police Officer, Bomadi Police Division, the Joint Task Force, the Department of State Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Unfortunately, the swift intervention of the JTF was met with a totally unexpected twist as the operatives were massacred.
The situation has degenerated with the army receiving the orders of the both the President and the Senate to defend itself and send clear deterrent signals to other communities who might be minded towards undermining legitimate security operations.
President Tinubu’s order was contained in a statement he personally signed.
He wrote, “The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.”
The response is titled ‘Statement on the killing of Nigerian soldiers on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Delta State.’
While noting that the military high command was already responding to this incident, President Tinubu gave fresh marching orders for the manhunt and prosecution of the perpetrators.
“The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.
“As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers,” President Tinubu declared.
In addition, he extended his “profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones.”
The Senate condoled with the military over the killing of the commanding officer of the 181 Battalion, two Army Majors, and 12 soldiers.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, in a statement he personally signed, condoled with the service chiefs over the loss of their men.
He said, “On behalf of the 10th Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, and officers and men of Operation Delta Safe on the tragic loss of our gallant personnel who were mercilessly killed by some youths during a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
“The sacrifices made by the Commanding Officer, three officers, and 12 soldiers during this distressing incident shall forever be remembered. Their bravery and commitment exemplify the highest virtue of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice and their legacy will forever inspire us all.”
Senator Yar’Adua also pledged the unwavering support of the Senate to the investigations of the incident that led to the gruesome killing of the soldiers.
He added, “I wish to commend the swift response of the Chief of Defense Staff in directing an immediate investigation to apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime. It is crucial that justice is served and those behind this criminal act are brought to account for their actions.
“The Nigerian Army’s unwavering focus on upholding peace and security in our nation is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our Armed Forces.
“The Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army stands resolutely alongside the Defense Headquarters and the Nigerian Army in seeking justice for the fallen heroes. We shall spare no effort in supporting the necessary investigations and legal processes to ensure that those responsible for this crime face the full consequences of their actions.”
Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticisms over the difficulties facing Northern Nigeria.
He argued that the North has received substantial financial support through regional development commissions and should focus on utilizing these resources effectively.
Zailani made this statement while speaking to journalists after receiving Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President-General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), who visited to offer condolences following the passing of his stepmother, Hajia Fatima Abdullahi (Goggu Ladi).
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He noted that Tinubu’s administration had provided significant financial backing to the North, particularly through the creation of regional development commissions, each receiving ₦750 billion annually—totaling ₦2.25 trillion for the region.
“President Tinubu has, in his own way, liberated the North from poverty and underdevelopment.
“With an annual budget of ₦750 billion allocated to each of the North’s three development commissions—totaling ₦2.25 trillion annually—the North has no reason to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment,” Zailani stated.
He pointed out that if these funds were used efficiently, they could transform key sectors such as power, agriculture, and industrialization.
He cited an example where ₦200 billion could generate 100 megawatts of solar power, while investments in fertilizer blending plants and research could boost agricultural productivity.
Zailani stressed the need for accountability, urging Northerners to shift their focus from blaming the Federal Government to questioning the performance of their own development commissions.
“Instead of constantly questioning what the Federal Government is doing or not doing, we should be asking what our development commissions are doing with the allocated funds,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the Proposed Tax Reforms Bill, which some argue favors industrialized states like Lagos, Zailani encouraged the North to take advantage of its development funding and focus on self-sufficiency.
“Now that we have been empowered with development commissions, let us build our own industries and generate our own taxes instead of complaining,” he added.
He also commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for his efforts in infrastructure development, particularly his directive for the construction of 20 kilometers of asphalt roads in each constituency.
He called on AYCF and similar organizations to collaborate with the government to drive progress in the region.
In response, Alhaji Yerima Shettima offered prayers for the late Hajia Fatima Abdullahi and reaffirmed AYCF’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
“We will continue to uphold the truth and ensure justice for all,” Shettima stated.
The Lagos State Government has announced the closure and diversion of traffic on the Independence/Mekwen Bridge (inbound Marina/CMS route) for two months to allow for emergency repairs.
In a statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed that the repair work would commence on Wednesday, March 19, and run until Monday, May 26, 2025.
As a result, the section of the road from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through Bonny Camp Bridge down to Independence Bridge will be closed to vehicular movement.
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Additionally, the Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge service lane inbound Independence Bridge will not be accessible to motorists. However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe will remain open.
To ease traffic congestion, the government has provided alternative routes for motorists.
“For motorists heading to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way, Osiyemi advised using Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, then proceeding to Falomo Roundabout and linking Obafemi Awolowo Road to access Ring Road.
“Those traveling to the 3rd Mainland Bridge from Ahmadu Bello Way should go through Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, then link Alfred Rewane Road to Osborne Road before connecting to Ring Road.
“Motorists heading to Inner Marina and CMS from Ahmadu Bello Way will be diverted through Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street to connect Falomo Roundabout, then link Obafemi Awolowo Road to access J.K. Randle Road/King George V Road.
Osiyemi assured that traffic management personnel would be deployed to regulate movement during the repair period.
“Motorists heading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Inner Marina/CMS will have through-traffic access,” he said.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring minimal disruption, stating that officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be on the ground to manage traffic flow along the affected routes.
The state government urged residents to plan their journeys accordingly and comply with the alternative routes to ease congestion during the two-month repair period.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the recruitment of 1,100 primary school teachers to fill vacancies in public schools across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday by Bolu Ajijo, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
According to the statement, the approval was granted after the completion of the recruitment process.
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“As part of deliberate efforts to fill critical vacancies in public primary schools across the state, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the employment of one thousand one hundred teachers by the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board,” the statement read.
Reacting to the decision, the Executive Chairman of Ondo SUBEB, Victor Olambitan, commended the governor for addressing the shortage of teachers in the state’s public schools.
“The employment will go a long way in improving the pupil-teacher ratio in our public primary schools and, at the same time, enhance the quality of education delivered in schools, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas across the state,” Olambitan stated.
He also assured applicants that details on how to check the list of successful candidates and begin the documentation process would be made public soon.
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