The Nigerian Army has condemned the gruesome killing of its men on a peace mission in the Okuama community, Delta, lamenting how the remains of the slain soldiers were debased and their hearts ripped out.

In a statement on Monday, army spokesman Onyema Nwanchukwu said the slain soldiers “were troops committed to peace and security of lives and property of citizens and non-citizens alike in the Niger Delta Region, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama community in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner and went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains by ripping out their hearts by the very people they were there to protect.”

Mr Nwachukwu condemned the Okuama committee for resorting to media propaganda to cover up the incident, accusing the community of being complicit in the killing of soldiers.

“Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This, again, is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces. 

“There is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative; they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law,” Mr Nwachukwu said.

Vowing to bring to book those involved in the killing of its men, the Nigerian Army urged law-abiding citizens to go about their business as there would be no reprisal from the military.

The killing of 16 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area has sparked widespread condemnation and outrage.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the killings while charging that the perpetrators be fished out and brought to book. 

Amnesty International, in a statement on Sunday,  condemned the killing of the 16 military personnel, including a commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers on a peace mission at two warring communities in Bomadi LGA of Delta state.

The human rights organisation said, “The gruesome killing of the 16 military personnel in #Delta state shows utter disregard for the sanctity of life. Nigerian authorities to find those suspected of responsibility for these horrific killings and bring them to justice.”