The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Army to release its investigation report on the tragic killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community, Ughelli South, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.
The resolution came after a motion presented by Hon. Francis Waive during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Lawmakers also urged the Army to either release detained community members deemed innocent or formally charge them in court.
Expressing concern over the military’s destruction of homes in Okuama following the incident, the House called for efforts to rebuild affected properties.
It further mandated its Committee on Defence to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Hon. Waive lamented that nearly a year after the incident, those arrested have neither been charged nor granted bail.
He criticized the refusal to conduct a judicial inquiry despite the community’s request, arguing that the Army should have completed its internal probe by now and made its findings public.
In a separate development, the House of Representatives has expressed concern over rising cases of killings, kidnappings, and violent crimes in Esan North-East and Esan South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State.
Following a motion of urgent national importance by Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, lawmakers urged the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Police, and other security agencies to conduct thorough investigations to curb the violence.
To enhance security in the region, the House also called on the Federal Government to establish a military base in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.
Additionally, the committees on Defence, Army, National Security and Intelligence, Police, and Legislative Compliance have been tasked with ensuring implementation and reporting back within four weeks.
