President Bola Tinubu reiterated his commitment to honoring the slain military personnel in Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, during a Ramadan fast-breaking event in Abuja on Wednesday.
Joined by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and other House leaders, Tinubu emphasized the critical role of oversight in governance while cautioning against excessive summoning of officials, which could disrupt operations and hinder service delivery.
During the gathering, Tinubu expressed heartfelt condolences to the military and the families of the deceased, assuring that the fallen soldiers would receive a dignified burial and national honours in recognition of their sacrifice.
He urged lawmakers to exercise discretion in their oversight functions, highlighting the importance of faith in the country’s progress and sacrifices made for its betterment.
“The baby step being taken by our country is doing well. The sacrifices we have made and we ask the people to continue to make, assuring them that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.
“All you have to do is to have faith. Pls don’t forget your constituencies, remember what they are going through. We salute all our men and women in uniform and we sympathise with them.
“I will soon make further pronouncements. They must have a befitting burial and they must have national honour.”
Tinubu also commended the cordial relationship between the executive and legislature, which has facilitated the expeditious passage of bills aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.
He urged legislators to remain mindful of their constituents’ needs and to extend compassion to the less privileged during the holy month of Ramadan.
Delta Governor Meets Tinubu
Simultaneously, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, held discussions with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the same day.
Oborevwori assured Tinubu of ongoing efforts to maintain peace in Okuama and condemned the heinous killings that occurred there.
“I decided to come here to brief Mr President of all the things we have been doing to maintain peace. Mr President has assured me that he is in support of peace and we both condemn the killing of the officers and the soldiers because they were there on a peace mission,” he said after the meeting.
“What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for. But we want to assure everybody that there will be no more attacks on the villages.
“If there’s anyone that will that has happened in the past, there will be no attack. But we know that those who are culpable will be brought to book but innocent citizens will not be will not be attacked.”
In response, President Tinubu reaffirmed his determination to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice, condemning the violence as “unprovoked” and “dreadful.”
“As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers,” Tinubu said.
“I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.”
He assured Governor Oborevwori of the federal government’s support in restoring peace and security to Delta State, emphasizing the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the attack.
