Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has called for concerted efforts and support for the military and other security agencies to bring the killers of the 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State to justice.
Governor Diri, who strongly condemned the killings, again expressed his deep condolences and that of the Bayelsa State Government to the families of the slain military personnel, the wider Armed Forces family and the Army in particular.
He stressed that no effort should be spared to bring the perpetrators to book.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said in a press release on Wednesday that Governor Diri stated that Bayelsa State, being a proud host to the headquarters of the joint services Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), the Central Naval Command, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mobility Command and the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade, was understandably outraged at the heinous attack on the military personnel that are cherished members of the communities they are located and the state.
He said the government would continue to support the military and other law enforcement institutions in their mission in the state.
The governor has consequently directed all the security commanders in the state as well as the coordinator of the Bayelsa Community Safety Corps, Brig-General Eric Angaye (rtd), to scale up surveillance and patrol of the state’s borders and the waterways.
According to him, “the killing of our soldiers is barbaric, satanic and outrightly criminal. And anyone involved should be seen and treated as a criminal under our laws.”
The governor urged people of the state, particularly residents of Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, to remain calm as the government will ensure that law-abiding citizens were protected and safe at all times.