The ambushing and killing of 21 gallant soldiers in Delta State this week is a serious disaster that calls for caution and decisive action to be taken by the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR.
With its formation over 163 years ago, the Nigerian Army is among the most successful in the African continent in peacekeeping operations. It was the same Nigerian Army that fought the protracted Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970, ultimately preserving the country’s unity.
The Army has restored democracy in many African countries, and when it comes to quelling internal security threats, the Nigerian Army defeated the Maitatsine rebellion in Kano in the 1980s and restored normalcy in many communities.
On March 14th, 2024, Nigerians woke up to the horrific murder of about 21 soldiers by the Okuama community in Delta, including a lieutenant colonel. Apart from the banditry that ravaged the Northwestern and North Central parts of this country, where many security agencies lost their lives, communities were not left out. At this time, the President and Commander-in-Chief must beat the drum of “no retreat, no surrender” against criminals trying to undermine the soul of our dear nation.
With the ambush of soldiers by those communities in Delta State, where a lieutenant colonel was killed, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whom the constitution vests authority in deploying the armed forces, should ensure that the perpetrators of this unforgivable crime are brought to book.
Are militias in Nigeria more equipped and well-trained than the Nigerian Army, which many people are proud of, or is it the alleged corruption that has pervaded our security sector that led to the loss of Nigerian soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel AH Ali?
The NIGERIAN TRACKER is of the opinion that the President should ensure heads roll regarding the barbaric killing of the army. Whoever is found complicit should be brought to book, and they should be dealt with decisively.
