The regional bloc in a statement issued late Wednesday night demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the soldiers and the arrest of the perpetrators.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned in strongest terms, the killing of 16 Nigerian military personnel in Okuama community in Delta State by irate youths.
The regional bloc in a statement issued late Wednesday night demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the soldiers and the arrest of the perpetrators.
It asked that the perpetrators should be brought to justice.
The ECOWAS stated, “It is with utter shock and a heavy heart that the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) received the news of the gruesome murder on 14 March 2024 of 16 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State.
“The Commission strongly condemns this cowardly act. It expresses its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers as well as to the Armed Forces, the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Commission prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the gallant soldiers and wishes the injured quick recovery.
“The Commission calls on the authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the soldiers and apprehend the perpetrators with the view to bringing them to justice.
“The Commission urges the communities to eschew all forms of violence and employ pacific means to resolve their differences and maintain communal harmony in the overall interest of all.”