The Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce, on Wednesday, held a closed meeting with the nation’s Service Chiefs over the recent killing of troops in Okuoma community, Bomadi local government area of Delta State.
The meeting has in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan; and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
The meeting came to an end some minutes after 6 pm.
The Senate, during plenary on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, mandated the joint committee to investigate the incident.
The upper chamber also urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.
The Joint Committee is chaired by Senator Ahmad Lawan, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence.
Moments before the commencement of the meeting with the Service Chiefs, members of the Joint Committee observed a minute silence in honour of the 16 Military personnel killed in the Okuama community last Thursday.
Addressing Journalists, Senator Lawan, said the meeting was fruitful as far-reaching decisions were made noting that the Senate frowned at the action of the unscrupulous elements, who murdered the uniformed men.
He declared the support of the Senate for the decision taken so far on the matter by the presidency as well as the Authorities of the Nigerian Army.
Senator Lawan said this was the first meeting of the ad-hoc committee, promising that the committee would continue to meet until those behind the dastardly act are apprehended.
Meanwhile, marking the festive spirit of Easter and Eid holidays, the National Assembly has announced the adjournment of plenary sessions until the 16th of April.
-Sen. Ahmad Lawan- Yobe North
