Former Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retired) has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the ambush that led to the killing of 16 military personnel last Thursday in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.
In an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast show on Monday, Esekhaigbe disclosed that the soldiers were ambushed by residents of the community while on a peacekeeping mission.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed the deaths of 16 Nigerian soldiers, including two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers, who were deployed from the 181 Amphibious Battalion to the Bomadi region for a peacekeeping mission in the Okuoma community.
Esekhaigbe clarified that the soldiers were deployed to the coastal community to investigate why their colleagues, who were on a peacekeeping mission there, had been held hostage, and not for combat purposes.
He emphasized that the soldiers would not have fallen victim to the ambush if they had anticipated hostility.
He stated, “Their mindset was to go and find out what the problems were and why their men were kept behind. So, their mind was not to go and fight… they were not going with the mentality of going for an attack.”
The retired Major General attributed the success of the ambush to the sophisticated weapons possessed by the militia groups in the community. He underscored the importance of training and retraining for military personnel, especially in understanding and navigating local environments.
Regarding the overall insecurity in the state, Esekhaigbe identified factors such as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, drug abuse, and governance failures.
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of institutions and a more proactive approach to addressing these challenges.
Esekhaigbe urged for concrete actions beyond mere renaming of institutions, emphasizing the need for effective governance, reorientation of societal values, and optimal utilization of security resources.
He highlighted the crucial role of government responsiveness in curbing communal clashes and enhancing security across communities, urging authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens.
The revelations by Esekhaigbe offer valuable insights into the complexities of security challenges and the urgent need for multifaceted solutions to ensure peace and stability in Delta State and beyond.