The Northern Senators’ Forum has condoled with the Nigerian Army, the chief of defence staff and the chief of army over the loss of personnel in the Delta killings.

Chairman of the forum, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

The commanding officer, two majors, one captain, 12 soldiers and a civilian lost their lives on Thursday, March 14, in an ambush at Okuoma, Ugheli South LGA.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities. In his condolence message, Yar’adua expressed the group’s deepest condolences.

The lawmaker, chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, said, “On behalf of northern senators, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the chief of defence staff, the chief of army staff, the Nigerian Army and officers and troops of Operation Delta Safe.

He added, “This is on the tragic loss of personnel who were killed during a peace mission to Okuama Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta. The sacrifices made by our officers and soldiers on behalf of Nigeria shall not be in vain.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the families of the fallen heroes, and the entire armed forces as we honour the sacrifice and service of our brave personnel.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the military high command to trace those who killed military officers and men in Delta.

Mr Tinubu, on Sunday evening, stressed that any attack on members of Nigeria’s armed forces is a direct attack on the nation.

(NAN)