Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has criticized the Nigerian Army’s decision to declare eight suspects wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community, Delta State.
Falana emphasized that it is illegal for the military to declare murder suspects wanted and warned against mishandling the case of the slain soldiers.
In a statement on Thursday, Falana stated, “The decision of the Defence Headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.”
He urged the federal government to direct the defence headquarters to transfer the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder to appropriate civilian authorities.
Falana underscored that murder is not a military offence, and thus, it should be investigated by civilian law enforcement agencies rather than the military.
“If the federal government fails to call the defence headquarters to order,” Falana cautioned, “the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”
President Bola Tinubu, speaking during the burial ceremony on Wednesday, expressed determination to ensure justice for the slain soldiers.
Tinubu called on the elders and chiefs of Okuama to collaborate with the military in identifying and apprehending the gunmen responsible for the heinous crime.
Tinubu’s stance aligns with the government’s commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice and serve as a deterrent against such acts of violence in the future.
The declaration of suspects as wanted by the military has raised legal and procedural concerns, with Falana’s intervention highlighting the need for adherence to due process and civilian oversight in criminal investigations, particularly in cases of murder and other serious offences.