‘It portends danger’ — Akpabio says killers of soldiers in Delta may be mercenaries

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says those involved in the killing of soldiers in the Okuama community in Bomadi LGA of Delta, may be mercenaries.

On March 14, some armed men attacked and killed 17 personnel of the Nigerian army during a peace mission to the community.

Speaking on Tuesday during a debate on two merged motions, Akpabio said the nation is not at war and called for peace to be restored in the community.

“We condemn this dastardly act. It portends danger for the entire society. Every single culprit involved must be brought out to face the full wrath of the law,” the senate president said.

“We are not at war. I don’t think they are from the Niger Delta. They may be mercenaries.”

The senate asked its committee on defence, army, navy, and air force to work alongside the military authorities to probe the killings of the soldiers.

The red chamber also called for the recruitment of more policemen so that the military would not be getting involved in civil matters.

The senate also resolved that families of the murdered soldiers should be compensated immediately as moved by Jibrin Barau, the deputy senate president.