The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of the Nigerian Army has declared a professor identified as Ekpekpo Arthur, wanted over the killing of 16 soldiers on a peacekeeping mission in the Okuama community of Delta State.
Prof. Arthur was placed on the wanted list by the military high command alongside a ommunity woman leader, Mrs Igoli Ebi, as well as Reuben Baru, Akata Malawa David, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (A.k.a Amagbem), Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, Reuben Baru, and Andaowei Dennis Bakriri.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, who disclosed the names of the wanted persons during a press conference at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday morning, however, said though there was no bounty placed on the wanted persons, the military authorities will leave no stone unturned to bring them to justice.
The DHQ which also displayed the images and names of the suspects in photo collage, via its X handle, called on the stakeholders and traditional rulers across the country particularly in the Niger Delta to help the military in fishing out those who had been declared wanted.
The soldiers comprising of a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, a Captain, and 12 other rank and file soldiers, were serving with the 181 Amphibious Battalion and were on the mission to quell community clashes in the Bomadi LGA of the state when they were abducted and subsequently killed.
In a statement issued by the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the soldiers were on a rescue mission to Okuama community to free a hostage identified as Anthony Aboh, who was allegedly abducted over a lingering land dispute between the two communities when they were ambushed and killed.
“The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024,” the statement said.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.
“The reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.”
In a post in its X account, the DHQ shared their photos and names of the fallen soldiers.
Their names are:
– LT COL AH ALI, COMMAND OFFICER 181 AMPHIBIOUS BATTALION NIGERIAN ARMY
– Maj SD Shafa (N/13976)
– Maj DE Obi (N/14395)
– Capt U Zakari (N/16348)
– SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974)
– Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274)
– Col Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853)
– LCol Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844)
– Lal Sole Opeyemi (17NA/760719)
– LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290)
– LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653)
– LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191)
– Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079)
– Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911)
– Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162)
– Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079)
– Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795)
