Urhobo Group Flays Heinous Killing of 16 Soldiers in Delta Community

.Sympathises with families of victims

.Urges Gov Diri to distance himself from Amagbein-led N’Delta gang

Folalumi Alaran

A pressure group, The Urhobo Renaisance Assembly (TURA) has condemned last weekend’s killing of four officers and 14 soldiers of the Nigerian Army on rescue operation at Okuoma in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.

The group, in a release issued on Wednesday by its President, Austin Esiri, lamented the recent killing of soldiers and civilians in Okuoma, urging the security agencies to apprehend the killers and bring them to book.

According to him: “It is very sad. Words are not enough to express our deep sympathy to the Nigerian Army and the families of the officers and soldiers gruesomely murdered.

“Their service and supreme sacrifice to Nigeria, our fatherland would remain indelible heart of the Nation and Deltans in particular.
“Apart from writing to send this open condolence, we demand that the perpetrators of the heinous crime be apprehended and brought to justice. Hence, we support the current military effort and operations to arrest the killers.”
The group President, however, took exception to the reported ruthless reprisals and siege by the military on Okuama and Gbomotoru communities.

He said:”As two wrongs don’t make a right, the innocent people of both communities should not suffer for the crime of a handful of brigands.”
TURA also urged Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State to dissociate himself from Endurance Okodeh Amangbein-led gang in the Niger Delta.
The group said although Amagbein worked for the governor during the last election, he should distance himself from him.

Noting that the military is currently searching for Amagbein, Esiri said as an ally of Diri, who worked for his election, the feeling of close ties will continue to grow if the governor refuses to distance himself from Amagbein.

He said: “Amagbein and his cohorts are known allies of Governor Douye Diri. He had played host to them in Government House, Yenagoa”.