TheCable

Edwin Clark, convener of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has appealed to the Nigeria army to act maturely and not to take the law into their hands.

Sixteen military personnel — comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers — were killed while on a peace mission at Okuama community in Bomadi LGA of Delta state, on March 14.

Following the attack, several houses in the community were reportedly razed hours after the incident.

The army had said the killing of the soldiers was “communally orchestrated”, but added that the troops would not retaliate.

Speaking on Arise TV News Night, Clark condemned the attack, describing it as “unforgivable”.

“What happened a few days ago is very shocking, very barbaric, wicked, and unforgivable,” Clark said .

“I think what is required really, the military together with the communities, all of us, should take it as a task to look for these people who committed this murder. It is very, very important.

“Even  in the Boko Haram war, we have never lost soldiers like that. We have a duty not allow this thing to escalate, we must all put our heads together.”

On preventing more collateral damage, Clark appealed to the soldiers to “take it easy”, and to focus on apprehending perpetrators of the attack.

“My appeal to our gallant soldiers is that they should act maturely, and not to take the law into their own hands. I know they are provoked, we are all provoked, but that’s not enough,” he said.

“There are innocent children, pregnant women, everywhere. So, as far as I’m concerned, we should appeal to the military to take it easy.

“They have all modern technology, they should be able to fish out very soon those who committed this crime.

“So, the grudge against the ordinary citizens, one would be angry that since such a thing happen in a place.

“So, one would not blame the army so much for whatever that must have happened, it’s all collateral damages. What I’m saying, enough is enough, the military should sit back.

“We’re all Nigerians, and those who must have been responsible for this, they are not many. They’re not many. Whoever hired them, wherever they come from, they should be fished out, that should be the main duty of the army.”