Okuama crisis: Clerk denounces attack on soldiers, says ‘We’ve never lost soldiers like that’

Elder statesman and leader of the Ijaw Nation, Edwin Clark has denounced the recent killing of soldiers in Delta State, describing the incident as shocking, barbaric, and wicked.

He called on the communities and the military to work together to find the murderer(s).

Clark disclosed while fielding questions on Arise Television’s News programme.

Clark also urged soldiers to exercise caution and refrain from enforcing law and order, pointing out that with today’s technology, they ought to be able to find criminals fairly quickly.

“What happened a few days ago is very shocking, very barbaric and wicked. I think what is required really, the military together with the communities, all of us should take that task to look for these people who committed this murder. It is very very important.

“In fact, I was so sad when I heard that Lt Col. Ali was involved because on Thursday, 14 March, I spoke to him. I think about 8:45 about my dead younger brother, Col Bernard Clark (rtd), who died recently and was to be buried on Friday to have a military burial.

“I had to contact him. And he told me he was in a vehicle and that he would speak to me later, only to hear that he was among them. At that time he was speaking to me from Agbor in Delta State.

“There’s another one, Major B. I spoke to him about the same time on Wednesday. So I am indeed very very sad that we should lose such a people at a time, even in the Boko Haram war we have never lost soldiers like that. We all support Mr President when he said the people should be looked for,” he said.

He added, “Well my appeal to our gallant soldiers is that they should act maturely and not take the law in their own hands. I know they are provoked. We are all provoked. There are innocent children, pregnant women everywhere.

“As far as I am concerned, we should appeal to the military to take it easy. They have all the modern technology. They should be able to fish out very soon those who committed this crime.

“One should not blame the army so much for whatever must have happened. It’s all collateral damages.”