The Delta State House of Assembly has enjoined the state governor to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate and unravel the immediate and remote causes of the crisis between Okuama in Ughelli South and Okoloba in Bomadi Local Government Area.
The call came following a motion raised at Tuesday’s plenary under matters of urgent public importance by the member representing Ughelli South State Constituency, Festus Utuama.
Utuama, in the motion, had sought vehement condemnation of the unprovoked killing of the 16 officers and men of the Nigerian Army and one civilian, whom he said were on a peace mission in the community.
The lawmakers called on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to, as a matter of urgency, urge relevant security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those who carried out the dastardly act.
The lawmaker, while appealing to the military to temper justice with mercy, asked Governor Oborevwori to put in place measures aimed at protecting the elderly men, women, children and vulnerable persons, most of whom have suffered untold hardship as well as loss of property since the crisis began barely a week ago.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker just as a minute of silence was observed in honour of the slain soldiers.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, directed that the motion be forwarded to the state governor for immediate action, just as he enjoined the Assembly’s Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure full compliance with the resolution.