A board of enquiry has been set up by the Nigerian military over the killing of 17 Army officers and soldiers in the Okuama community in Delta State.
Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, received the chairman and members of the board set up by the Defence Headquarters at the Delta State Government House Annex in Warri on Friday.
The governor welcomed the setting up of the board of enquiry and insisted that a thorough investigation must be carried out on the matter.
He promised that his government would do all it could to assist the board with the assignment.
He said a transparent investigation must be conducted to fish out the real culprits of the crime so that innocent citizens should not be made to suffer any further.
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The chairman of the board Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi, briefed the governor on the assignment of the board and appealed for the government’s support.
Following the killing of the Army officers and soldiers, the Defence Headquarters declared eight persons, wanted over their roles in the recent killing.
Among the eight that was declared wanted, King of Ewu kingdom Clement Ikolo has turned himself in.
The other seven still at large are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki; Oghenerukeywe; Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.
Meanwhile, the 17 soldiers were buried at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday, 27 March.
Present at the burial ceremony were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, top government and military officers.
The president described the slain soldiers as patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect the country against internal and external threats.
He promised that their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come.
Also, he awarded the children and even yet-to-be-born of the soldiers full educational scholarships up to the University level.
