The Nigerian Army on Monday told the Okuama community, where 16 of its personnel on peace mission were killed that no amount of propaganda would arm-twist the narrative, while warning them that they should be ready to face the wrath of the law for their alleged complicity in the crime.

A statement on Monday by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, alleged that the community’s complicity in the killing of its personnel had made it resort to media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators.

Titled, “Resort To Propaganda By Okuama Community In The Face Of Gruesome Murder Of Troops On Peace Mission Is Callous And Totally Condemnable,” General Nwachukwu assured the law-abiding citizens of the community that there would be no reprisal on the part of the troops.

He said that the operation of the troops in the community was basically to identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds.

The statement partly read: “The unfortunate killing of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army (NA), while on a peaceful and mediatory mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State respectfully is not only despicable but should be unreservedly condemned by all.

“These were troops committed to peace and security of lives and property of citizens and non-citizens alike in the Niger Delta Region, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama Community, in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner and went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains by ripping out their hearts by the very people they were there to protect.”

It added, “Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This again is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.

“The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to coverup, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety, it is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies. There is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative, they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.

“While law-abiding citizens are assured that there will be no reprisal on the part of the troops, we enjoin all to go about their normal activities, even as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds.

“The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, while commiserating with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives, has directed that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of this gruesome acts are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law. Troops are determined to get to these criminals, there is certainly no hiding place for them.”