The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has declared eight persons wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community of Delta State.
The declaration was made on Thursday on the Facebook page and X handle of the Nigerian Army.
Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur; Mrs Igoli Ebi; Reuben Baru; Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (a.k.a. Amagbem) and Clement Ikolo Okhenerukevwe.
The soldiers were killed on March 14, when Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba community.
Their visit to the community was for peace-keeping.
The remains of the soldiers were interred on Wednesday at the National Military Secretary, Abuja.
During the occasion, President Bola Tinubu declared that the federal government would provide scholarships up to the university level for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama community in Delta State.
He also directed the military authorities to ensure that the benefits of the departed were paid to their families within 90 days.
The president also declared that the federal government would provide a house in any part of the nation to each of the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.
The president bestowed posthumous National Honours on the 17 fallen heroes.
Lt Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were given the honour of Member of the Order of Niger, MON.
Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu were awarded Federal Republic Medals.
