Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called for concerted efforts and the support of the military and other security agencies to bring the killers of the 16 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State to justice.
Mr Diri, who condemned the killings, also expressed his condolences and those of the Bayelsa government to the families of the slain military personnel, the wider Armed Forces family and the Army in particular.
This is contained in a statement issued to journalists in Yenagoa on Wednesday by his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah.
He said that no effort should be spared to bring the perpetrators to book.
Mr Diri said Bayelsa was a proud host of the headquarters of the joint services, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), the Central Naval Command and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mobility Command.
“The Nigerian Army 16 Brigade is understandably outraged at the heinous attack on the military personnel that are cherished members of the communities they are located in and the state.”
He said the government would continue to support the military and other law enforcement institutions in their mission in the state.
He directed all security commanders in the state, as well as the coordinator of the Bayelsa Community Safety Corps, Brig.-Gen. Eric Angaye, to scale up surveillance patrols of the state’s borders and the waterways.
According to him, “The killing of our soldiers is barbaric, satanic and outright criminal. Anyone involved should be seen and treated as a criminal under our laws.
He urged people in the state, particularly residents of the Igbomotoru community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, to remain calm, as the government would ensure that law-abiding citizens were protected and saved at all times.
NAN