THE Niger Delta Women Professionals have urged the suspects involved in the killing of 17 officers and soldiers from 181 Amphibious Division in Okuama community in Delta State to surrender to the military authorities without delay to restore peace to the troubled communities and beyond.
The group, in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Wariboko and Dr. Agnes Tari, respectively, on Friday, March 22, in Abuja, also called on the people of Okuama and environs to cooperate with and give security agencies necessary information to aid the arrest of the perpetrators.
The group said members of the armed forces had made so much sacrifice for the country and do not deserve such wickedness, describing the killing as unacceptable and capable of truncating the peace in the region.
The women group recalled that the military had played a pivotal role in building peace in the region, especially using non-kinetic approach; hence the killing must be condemned in all ramifications.
They also declared their support for ongoing efforts to capture the leader of the militant group and his members allegedly responsible for the heinous crime, noting: “We support the investigation ordered by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, to get to the root of the problem.
“It is important the culprits surrender to the military authorities immediately.
“We urge residents of Okuama and environs to pass on useful information to the security agencies.
“We, women in the Niger-Delta, are vehemently against the atrocious conduct of the militant group. What has happened doesn’t represent the people of the Niger-Delta.
“We are totally in support of what Gen. Musa and his troops are doing, especially in tackling oil theft.”
