Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta says the state government and military authorities have agreed that no innocent citizens will suffer from the outcome of March 14 killing of soldiers.
Oborevwori said this on Tuesday while speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that the unfortunate killings of military personnel had further exacerbated the feud between the two warring communities.
“Since last year, we have been enjoying peace in Delta State, and we commend all security agencies.
“Mr President assured me that he is in support of the peace, and we both condemned the killing of the officers and the soldiers who were on a peace mission.
“What is happening now is something that we didn’t bargain for. But we want to assure everybody that there will be no more attacks on the villages if there is any that has happened in the past.”
The governor gave the assurance that those culpable would be brought to book, adding that innocent citizens are assured of safety.
He said that a meeting between the state government and traditional leaders would be held next week to find a quick resolution to the issue on ground.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 15 military personnel were killed during a communal clash in Delta State last Thursday.
The personnel met their deaths during a rescue mission in a clash between the Okuama and Okoloba communities in the state.
On the burning down of some villages in the affected communities, Oborevwori said many opinions circulating about the incidence were not true.
“The issue of whether a place has been burnt down or people have been killed, has happened, but what is the way forward? The ways forward are two ways.
“The people that have been killed—the officers and soldiers—we must see how we can find succour for their families and give them a befitting burial, as well as the community.
“Anything that has happened in the community in the past will not happen again. We assure you that the people who are culpable will be brought to book. (NAN)
