Delta: Students body Condemns Killing of Peacekeeping Soldiers
Sekinat Salam-Opebiyi, Abeokuta
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly denounced the tragic killing of 16 soldiers who were on a peacekeeping mission in several communities of Delta State, located in the southern region of the country.
The student body vehemently condemned the appalling incident, considering it both deeply unfortunate and utterly condemnable.
In a press statement issued by its National President, Pedro Obi, and circulated to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in the south-west of Nigeria, NANS characterized the event as not only unfortunate but also barbaric.
According to NANS, the heinous act epitomises barbarism and violates the fundamental principle that members of the Armed Forces deserve equal respect as civilians. The coordinated nature of the attack only amplifies its brutality.
“We firmly believe that under no circumstances should such an attack have occurred, regardless of the circumstances. Every member of the Armed Forces is entitled to the same level of respect and protection as civilians,” NANS President Pedro Obi stated.
Also Read: Okuoma killings: Delta Governor, Oborevwori Briefs President Tinubu
He described the unfortunate incident as not only a test of the resolve of the Armed Forces but also a challenge to the response capabilities of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
NANS called upon the President to instruct the Police, in accordance with their legal obligations, to conduct a thorough investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of this brutal attack, which resulted in the loss of 16 army officers’ lives.
Obi, on behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students, urged the Nigerian Army to prevent any recurrence of the events witnessed in Odi.
“The Army is therefore called upon to avoid a repetition of the November 1999 Odi response which led to the total wreckage of Odi town. The premeditated response of razing a whole community because of a nefarious act carried out by some reckless elements in the community must be avoided,” he said.
