Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called for an end to attacks on innocent citizens in Okuama community in Delta State after the killing of soldiers, saying collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.
In a statement on Sunday, he made an appeal to the military authorities to prevent soldiers from unleashing reprisal attacks on the communities in Bomadi Local Government Area.
Calling out the Federal Government for not making a statement at the time, he accused the military of attacking Okuama community, and setting some houses on fire during an operation, after the residents had fled to Ughelli for fear of a reprisal by soldiers who started patrolling the creeks after a Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers, who were on a peace mission were killed by irate youths.
Referencing the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over the killing of soldiers in November 1999 and October 2001 respectively, Mr. Falana says the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected community.
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Mr. Falana, who commended the military for the arrest of some of the ring leaders involved in the killing of its troops, said the military must resist a repeat of the reprisal massacre of innocent civilians in Odi and Zaki Biam.
The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024.
The incident occurred when the troops were responding to a distress call concerning a communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.
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