The military has vowed that it would do everything within the armbit of the law to fish out perpetrators of the attacks on military personnel deployed to Okuama Community on a peace mission.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations made this known in Abuja, during a press update on the attack on troops of Operation Delta Safe in Okuama Community in Delta State.

He said the military in trying to fish out the perpetrators, would be guided by the rule of law and not emotions.

“The military assures that there would be measured responses and injurious consequences for the perpetrators of these dastardly act.

“Nevertheless, the armed forces being a disciplined force that complies with rules of engagement, laws of armed conflict and the respect for human rights would be tempered by these provisions.

Buba debunked claims that the military embarked on reprisal attacks in Okuama Community after the incident.

He said, “the community was deserted even before troops arrived the scene.

“Those involved in peddling these misinformation, disinformation and fake news that the military had embarked on reprisal attacks on the community following the incident, should desist from further dishonouring our fallen heroes.

“It behooves on the community leaders, elders and even the people of Delta State to assist in the investigation to identify the perpetrators of the dastardly act so that they can be held accountable for their actions.

“It must be noted that the dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities remains unresolved.

“It therefore implies that there could be untoward activities not initiated by the military.

“Overall, there is no doubt, that this is an extremely sad development and untoward activity by members of the Okuama community against troops that were there to protect them.”

The Director urged the public to resist videos of the incident of the killed personnel from going viral.

He said, “their loved ones are still alive, even though they have died protecting our country and its citizens.

“It would be a dishonour to the fallen heroes to allow such ugly videos of their demise go viral.”

On what led to the attack, Buba said troops of Operation Delta Safe were on a peace mission to Okuama Community of Delta State.

He said in the course of the mission, members of the community launched unprovoked attacks on the unsuspecting troops.

He further said the attack led to the killing of the “Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, two Majors, one Captain and 12 personnel of the battalion.

“The senseless and barbaric killings of these men is a tragedy.

“They were killed in a dehumanised and unspeakable manner.

“Accordingly, on behalf of the CDS, Gen CG Musa, the armed forces mourns the loss of these gallant troops that paid the supreme sacrifice for the nation,”he said.

Buba consoled with the families of the deceased soldiers, their colleagues and loved ones over the incident.

He said members of the troop died trying to restore peace in the nation.

“It is necessary to reiterate that both the Constitution and the Armed Forces Act saddled the military with the responsibility of the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation.

“Accordingly, the armed forces consist of citizens from every nook and cranny of the nation that have taken an oath of allegiance to put themselves in harms way to defend our great country.

“Given ongoing security situation across the country, troops are deployed on internal security operations in about all the states of the federation.

“Troops intervene to de-escalate and contain tensed situations.

“However, the ugly incident in Okuama Community in Delta State is indicative of the dangers our gallant troops experience in order to secure our nation,”he said.

The director said, while the military mourned the fallen soldiers, it remained determined to ensure the safety and security of citizens across Nigeria.