The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has described the killings of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army in Okuama community of Delta State as a national disaster and an affront to the security agencies in Nigeria.

Oba Akanbi also stressed that the heinous crime committed in Okuama community was a security sacrilege and aberration that must be addressed diligently.

The monarch made this known in a statement by his spokesperson, Alli Ibraheem, which was obtained by Newsmen on Tuesday in Osogbo.

The monarch called for an investigation to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

While commiserating with the federal government, the Nigerian Army and the immediate families of the victims, he challenged traditional rulers to take responsibility.

He noted that a swift intervention by the community rulers and leaders could have prevented the national disaster.

He stressed that the attacked officers and soldiers were sent on a peace mission to restore harmony in the two warring communities but were caught unprepared and murdered.

“An attack on the Nigerian troops is an attack on Nigeria itself. A security sacrilege, aberration and abomination have been committed by the people of the Okuoma community. The murdered soldiers are servants on peace missions to quench warring towns.

“While commiserating with the immediate family of the victims and the Nigerian Army, I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to unravel the identity of the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.

“The community rulers, mostly the monarchs, should be alert to their responsibilities. Such heinous crimes can never happen under watch. The local government chairmen, who are the official security officers, should also brace up. If you can’t control your people at such a fragile moment, it tells a lot about your leadership credits.

“The occurrence is not an external representation of our military. It’s not an indication of calm security. The government must ensure the perpetrators are duly punished to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Legaldeskng recalled that 16 military personnel, comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Okuoma community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.