Okuama Killings: Reps Hold Investigative Hearing Thursday
The House of Representatives Committee on Defence will, on Thursday, hold an investigative hearing into the incident leading to the gruesome murder of 17 military personnel in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The military men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, including a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors and a Captain, were on a peacekeeping mission to Okuama community when they were ambushed and killed by hoodlums on March 14.
It was gathered that the investigative hearing will be held at the Government House Annex, Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the House committee’s investigative hearing is “in line with the resolution of the House during its sitting of March 19, 2024, to investigate the remote causes of the incident”.
Following the unfortunate killing of the soldiers, military personnel in what is considered to be reprisal destroyed all property in the Okuama riverine community with residents now taking refuge in neighbouring bushes of Ewu Kingdom.
A statement jointly signed by the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, and the Clerk of the House Committee on Defence, Musa Aliyu, “called on members of the public and interested parties to provide the House committee with useful information on the incident during the hearing.”
The statement partly reads, “The House of Representatives invites the general public, stakeholders and all interested parties to an investigative hearing on the carnage that occurred in Okuama community, Delta State, resulting in the death of military officers et al.
“This investigative hearing in line with the 10th Assembly House of Representatives’ Resolution of 19th March 2024, presents an opportunity for stakeholders to provide valuable information and recommendations that will help unveil causes and effects as well as the perpetrators of the dastardly act and events that followed, with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice, prevent such occurrence in the future and bring succour to the innocent members of the public who were affected thereafter.
“Members of the public, who are willing to submit a memorandum should do so in 10 copies and submit same to the committee within one week of this publication to the Clerk of the Committee, Musa Aliyu, Room 315 White House, House of Representatives, National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja; Or at the Public Investigative Hearing scheduled as follows: Date: Thursday 25th April, 2024. Time: 10 am. Venue: Conference Hall, Government House Annex, Edjeba Warri Delta State.
“The House of Representatives Committee on Defence looks forward to a robust engagement and meaningful contributions from all stakeholders.”
