The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gabwin Musa, blames the deaths of 16 soldiers in Delta State’s Okuama community on criminal gangs profiting from oil theft.

General Musa said the soldiers were deliberately targeted due to several crackdowns aimed at stopping pipeline vandalism in the community.

He refutes allegations that the soldiers stormed the community aggressively, stating they went in for a peaceful dialogue.

The General raises concerns about traditional leaders withholding information, suggesting a deeper issue in the region.

The CDS said this in an interview during the week. He stated that the traditional leaders may not have been directly involved in the killings, but that the community members and leaders cannot deny they knew what was happening.

His words: “They cannot claim ignorance of what was going on there. I’m sure you are aware that since they decapitated the bodies of those men, there’s a lot of human sacrifice that is ongoing in those general areas. It was just a way of saying they have strength, and that’s why they disemboweled them. I don’t know what the intent was, but whatever it is, we remain focused and committed.

“Our operation was highly regulated. Ideally, before now, it would have been a situation where we would have gone in and flattened all the communities within that area. However, it was a measured response because we felt not everyone was involved. But we know that many people knew what was going on and kept quiet.”

Musa said that the military could have eradicated Delta State’s Okuama community in retaliation for attacks on its men.

He also debunked claims that the slain military personnel stormed the community fully armed.

Musa said, “I have heard comments about what they (the murdered soldiers) were doing. Once we are deployed on an operation, we have the right and mandate to arrest all acts of criminality within that area. So they were there legally and were conducting a legal operation. The commanding officer felt that the threat was not that high, which is why he felt he could discuss with these individuals. He did not go in armed.

“That gallant officer, if he had gone armed, he would have erased everyone in that place. He felt these were people he knew; these were Nigerians he could talk to. When he went to talk to them with his team, they were rounded up and shot. Their body parts were cut, their hearts were removed, and I think that’s one thing all Nigerians should stand against.”

He further alleged that the traditional leaders withhold information, emphasizing that they cannot claim ignorance regarding the attack.

The General said, “I have heard what the Urhobo leaders have said, and I respect the elders, but I want them to speak from a position of strength. They cannot say they do not know what was going on there. Since they decapitated the bodies, there’s a lot of human sacrifice happening in those general areas.”

Speaking further, the Defence Chief said, “We are a professional army. We are the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Armed Forces. We are here to protect Nigerians, and we will continue to do so. Sometimes, things happen, and people don’t understand, and then it’s open to speculation.

We don’t follow speculations; we follow orders and directives. But I can assure you that we will always strive to do the right thing. Mistakes might be made, yes, because we are human, but we will try to curtail that as much as possible. I am sure you also know that we have standing Court Martials for all our operations. We don’t condone acts of indiscipline.

If you commit an offense, you go before the Court Martials and are punished accordingly. We don’t hide our own; we bring them out because we want Nigerians to trust the armed forces and know that we are there for them day in, day out.”