The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday declared eight persons wanted in connection with the killing of 17 Nigerian Army soldiers that were on duty to broker peace between the warring communities of Okoloba and Okuama in Delta State.
Those declared wanted are: Akpeywru Daniel Omotegbono (AKA Amagbem), Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur a Professor of Physics, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akaa Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Ogbenerukevwe and Reuben Baru.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja. Responding to a question, Buba said that if it become necessary bounties will be placed on the heads of all those that have been declared wanted by the military.
The declaration is coming barely 24 hours after the murdered soldiers were buried in the military cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday,27 March 2023 where President Bola Tinubu, insisted that those responsible for the senseless killing must be arrested and face the law.
President Tinubu personally, several Federal Executive members, Leadership of the National Assembly, some state governors, top military brass, families of the slain soldiers and their well-wishers attended the heroes burial and paid their last rest.
Recall that on March 14, Lt Col AH Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two Majors, a captain and 13 soldiers were killed in the Okuama Community during a peacekeeping mission to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community, Delta State.