The Defence Headquarters has released the list of 17 military personnel who tragically lost their lives in a recent attack in Okuama, Delta State.

The attack occurred last week in the aftermath of a peace mission in the community.

In a solemn announcement on Monday evening, the Nigerian Army paid tribute to the fallen heroes, posting a photo collage of the personnel on its official handle, and extending condolences to their families.

“May The Souls of the Departed Rest In Peace,” the Nigerian Army wrote on its X handle alongside a photo collage of the personnel on Monday evening.

Among those killed were the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 12 personnel of the battalion.

The Defence Headquarters identified the deceased as follows:

– Lt Col AH Ali, the Command Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion, Nigerian Army.

– Maj SD Shafa (N/13976)

– Maj DE Obi (N/14395)

– Capt U Zakari (N/16348)

– SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974)

– Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274)

– Col Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853)

– LCol Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844)

– Lal Sole Opeyemi (17NA/760719)

– LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290)

– LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653)

– LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191)

– Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079)

– Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911)

– Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162)

– Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079)

– Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked condemnation from various quarters, with President Bola Tinubu labeling it as an attack on the nation. Tinubu issued directives to security agencies to apprehend the masterminds and ensure justice is served.

“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.”

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also criticized the attack, emphasizing that innocent civilians should not be targeted.

Falana condemned the razing of the community saying, “There are innocent people in Okuama who are as angry as the government in ensuring that the criminal elements are brought to justice but when you go and set their houses on fire and attack innocent people, you have offended domestic laws because it is right in our country that there is no vicarious liability in criminality,” Falana said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“Nigeria domesticated the Geneva Convention in 1960 and under Article 33 of the Geneva Convention, collective punishment is prohibited. Innocent people cannot be attacked, even in a war situation”.