Former military administrator of Delta State, Air Commodore Luke Oculor (rtd) has called on the Federal Government to set up an investigative panel to curb the crisis in Okuoma Community in the state.
Okuoma attracted media attention following the gruesome murder of 16 military personnel in the community by yet to be identified persons, last week.
Ochulor who described the killings as unimaginable and unfathomable, said such panels should be extended to other warring communities to provide lasting solution to communal crises.
He said “Most of us who served in the military, we don’t sleep when we go to bed. This type of incident is unimaginable, in other countries this type of incident can lead to a declaration of State of Emergency because it’s unfathomable.
“What’s happening in Delta State is happening in Niger, and all over the world, soldiers are sentinels of peace and a place where you see them being slaughtered, the question is what’s the difference between the situation and a State of Emergency,” he said.
While cautioning against retaliation considering that the military should protect the nation, Ochulor advised that there should be a thorough investigation and urged the people and the government not to be in a hurry to find who did what.
“I know that area where that thing happened, it’s a tough place, the water there is very deep.” Ochulor said.
On the general security situation of the country, he said “I’m concerned as an individual, the way people are being abducted, I don’t think any country will sit and think things are normal. Things are not normal, something drastic has to be done.
There’s nothing government in this situation cannot do to remedy it, the modus operandi must change”, the retired military boss said.
