The Senate has asked the Federal Government to immediately compensate the families of the 17 murdered soldiers.
The request was made during a session on Tuesday, as the senators observed a minute silence in honor of the military personnel who lost their lives on Thursday in Okuama Community, Delta state.
A motion of urgent importance on the killing of the Nigerian Army personnel and the necessity for an urgent investigation was moved by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua and seconded by Sen. Edeh Dafinone.
Yar’Adua called for justice for the slain soldiers, saying the incident brought to the fore more the need to reduce the involvement of the military in managing internal conflicts.
“The army is being asked to participate in internal security management due to the fact that the police are overwhelmed.
“But, our soldiers have now come under increasing attacks, resulting in colossal losses”, he stated.
A directive was then given to the committees on army, navy and defense, to liaise with the Nigerian Army to investigate the matter.
The federal government was also urged to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended, and made to face the full consequences of their actions through a fair and transparent legal process.
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It called for the recruitment and training of more policemen to take charge of their duties of maintaining internal security and allow the army to concentrate on its traditional role in the affairs of the country.
The Senate also urged the government to carry out enlightenment campaigns on the civic responsibility of Nigerians.
President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said he did not believe that the attackers were indigenes of the Niger Delta or Nigerians.
Akpabio noted that even in a war situation, citizens would take precautionary measures to avoid killing soldiers.
“Supposing they are not from the Niger Delta or they are not Nigerians? I don’t even believe that the killers are from the Niger Delta. We are not in a war situation. To lose 16 soldiers in one fell swoop is really worrisome”, he added
Sen. Osita Izunaso from Imo-West, sued for tolerance among Nigerians in their daily interactions.
“We must always ensure that in whatever we are doing, we must be tolerant of one another. The killing of the soldiers is regrettable”, the lawmaker stated.
Sen. Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa-West, who equally condemned the killing of the soldiers, drew attention to seeming reprisals in Egbomoto community,” in Southern Ijaw, where people are being killed. “
Dickson told the Senate he could not categorically say it’s the military that had done the revenge attacks, advising, “Let’s be cautious in apportioning blame for now until a full investigation has been completed.”
Former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, Yobe-North, described the killing of the soldiers as “a big loss to Nigeria.”
“What our military needs from us as citizens is support at all times. What they are doing is to keep us safe. So, let’s support them.
“What happened in Delta was a well-orchestrated plan to kill our soldiers in a barbaric way.
“Again, we have to look into the issue of reducing the military from taking over police duties. Let’s recruit more police personnel and let them address issues that can be handled ordinarily by the police.
“The committee to conduct the investigation should clearly recommend what we can do within one year for the military and the police; to equip and train them to perform their duties,” he said.
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