Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has faulted the military for declaring suspects wanted over the killings of soldiers in the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Falana in a statement released following the declaration by the Defence headquarters of eight persons wanted in connection with the killing of the soldiers, said it is illegal for the military to declare civilians wanted without obtaining a court order.
He wants the government to direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers.
The senior lawyer argued that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters.
“The decision of the Defence Headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.
Let the federal government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers,” Falana said.
“It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters. If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence Headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”
On March 14, 17 military personnel comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers were killed while on a peacekeeping mission” in the Okuama community of Delta State.
