Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Ewuare II, has expressed grief over the horrible massacre of 16 Nigerian Army personnel who were on a peace mission to Okuama Community, Ughelli North local government area of Delta State.
Oba Ewuare II sent his condolences to victims of the recent tragedy when the 4 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, paid a courtesy visit to his palace in Benin City, Edo State.
While clarifying that there is no justification for the killings, Oba Ewuare II called on Nigerians to support bereaved families of slain personnel to overcome the grief, insisting that there is nothing to sound pedagogic about.
The traditional ruler also expressed his best wishes to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja for his enduring dedication to duty.
Oba Ewuare II said, “I think the Army should be appreciated by Nigerians a lot for what they are doing. I want to quickly express our condolences to the Army on the killings that happened recently in Okuoma. It was terrible!
“We have heard different versions of what happened. Whatever story they are going to tell doesn’t really justify the soldiers being killed like that.
“I think Nigerians should support the Army. The Army is seen to be disciplined. It is a Force to be reckoned with, and should not be treated anyhow.”
The Benin monarch, thereafter prayed to God and his ancestors to protect the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agents along with their families from harm’s way.
Earlier, the 4-Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, pledged his loyalty to Oba Ewuare II for adding a touch of glamour to royalty and solicited for his blessings, prayer and cooperation.
The military officer said his prayer request was necessitated by the command’s philosophy of the chief of army staff.
The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a plaque to the Royal parsonage by Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, who assumed duty at the 4 Brigade headquarters in Benin City on January 12, 2024.
