A non-governmental organization, NGO, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has criticised the elders and leaders of Okuama and Bomadi communities in Delta State for their silence after the gruesome murder of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army during a peace mission into the riverside Ijaw and Urhobo communities.
The group lamented that the military intervention to ensure peace in the warring communities led to their ambush and killing by unknown gunmen.
In a statement issued on Monday by the national coordinator of MMWG, Malam Abdullahi Ibrahim and made available to our correspondent in Abuja, the group condemned the merciless killing of the officers and soldiers, describing it as “total madness.”
He called on the military and other security agencies to fish out the criminals that unleashed devilish attacks on the gallant soldiers who were struggling to protect the lives and property of innocent people.
The group warned against further “wicked and senseless attacks on the military and other security agencies in Nigeria by misguided criminals parading themselves as ethnic militia groups and involving themselves in terrible criminal activities like the one just recorded in Delta State.”
MMWG also commended the officers and soldiers of the Joint Task Force of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army headed by Major-General Jamal Abdulsalam for their gallantry in fulfilling the military mandate under which this terrible attack came on them.
It would be recalled that 16 military officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army were killed on Thursday last week by the criminals, including the Commanding Officer of 181 Battalion, two Army Majors and 13 soldiers after they were ambushed by the rampaging fighters of the warring communities.
In another development, the MMWG has called on federal and state governments to support the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC in its efforts to rid the country of production and sale of alcohol in sachets.
The group noted that the uncontrolled availability of alcoholic drinks in sachets “is one of the root causes of violent crimes being committed in Nigerian society by misguided youths and other criminals.”
It, therefore, cautioned the National Assembly to stop dabbling or meddling in the affairs of public sector agencies that are operating under their mandate, pointing out that the House of Representatives directive to NAFDAC to stop its raid of alcoholic drinks manufacturing industries and their dealers was “indeed unreasonable,” saying not all issues should be politicised.
“What is the benefit of tax collected by the government from the production of intoxicants that are destroying the lives of our youths? the group queried.
Group condemns Delta leaders’ silence over soldiers’ killing
