Soldiers’ deaths: Halt attacks on Delta communities, Falana tells military

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the destruction of Okuama community in Delta State due to the killing of solders.

There are reports of the destruction of lives and properties in parts of Okuama in Ughelli Local Government Area and Okolaba in Bomadi Local Government of Delta State.

In a statement on Sunday, Falana called for an end to attacks on innocent citizens, saying collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.

He said, “Yesterday, I condemned the brutal killing of a group of military officers and soldiers in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State which occurred last week. I called for the immediate prosecution of the suspects who have been arrested for their involvement in the heinous crime. I also appealed to the military authorities to prevent soldiers from unleashing reprisal attacks on the communities in Bomadi Local Government Area.

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“Unfortunately, some villages were attacked last night by angry soldiers. After the attack the villages were set on fire during the nocturnal military invasion. Having regard to the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over killing of soldiers the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected villages. It is unfortunate that the federal government has not issued any statement on the barbaric incident.

“In view of the tragic turn of events, I call on the military authorities to halt the destruction of the properties of innocent people in the warring communities. It ought to be pointed out that collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.

“Therefore, the Delta State Government should ensure that the murder suspects and arsonists among the civilians and soldiers are fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the society.”