In response to the deaths of sixteen military people in Delta State, Lieutenant Commander Koku Imananagha [Rtd], a former Nigerian military officer, described how the military invaded Odi and began attacking military men’s buildings in the neighborhood. He claimed that the army personnel had demolished those buildings out of fury and accused them of having trained the neighborhood boys who had murdered the twelve police officers.
He however disputed claims that they had trained the youths responsible for the attack as he stated that such actions would be contrary to military principles. He highlighted the complex dynamics at play during the military operation in Odi and the destructive consequences for both the community and the military.
Many Nigerians have been worried about what would be the military response after 16 soldiers were beheaded in the Okuama community in Delta state. The Odi massacre remains a sad tale in the history of Nigeria. The Odi community which was razed down by the military after twelve policemen were believed to have been killed by the youths of the community.
He said in an interview with Arise TV, ”The military came in their full force and these boys after killing the policemen did not run away in the case of Odi. They were there waiting for the Army. And they confronted them when at the entrance of the community. So the army came with full annoyance and considering also that they lost some of their troops in that ambush. So they went in with that vigor and brought down everything.
And one thing I observed is that when they entered Odi. Any building with military photographs, the army people destroyed the building more than any other building. They even shot some salvos on the pictures of the military people. The Army men said we were the trainers of the community boys that killed the policemen. How can a military man after serving go back and train mere community boys to fight against the state? No, that is not in our character. But these guys that came attacked more military people buildings more than even the civilians.”
