Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has described the killing of seventeen officers and soldiers by youths believed to be militants in Okuama Community in Delta State as a national tragedy.
The troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army who were on a peaceful and mediatory mission after a reported communal clash between the Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State were ambushed and killed.
In a statement signed by the SA to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA, Ambassador Tuggar said the perpetrators of the March 16th 2024, dastardly act must not go unpunished.
According to the statement, the Foreign Affairs Minister made the comment during a visit by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who led a delegation of top military brass to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Amb Tuggar also used the occasion to condole with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the Defence Headquarters and the dependents of the deceased soldiers.
He further implored relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators of the tragic act to justice.
The Minister however, prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased as well as asked Almighty Lord to grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
