In response to the deaths of sixteen soldiers in Delta State, a former Nigerian military officer, Lieutenant Commander Koku Imananagha [Rtd], said that military retaliation assaults were limited to the Niger Delta. He contended that comparable incidents of criminals killing soldiers while they were on duty had been reported in the North East, North West, and South East of the nation. He voiced concern about the military’s overreaction when similar incidents occur in other areas.
He highlighted the injustice faced by individuals, including retirees like themselves, who may have invested in properties within affected communities, only to see their assets destroyed due to the actions of non-resident youths. He advocated for uniformity in the application of rules of engagement across the nation. He argued that the measures taken in response to offenses committed in the Niger Delta should be extended to all other regions.
He said in an interview with Arise TV, ”The reprisal attacks happen mostly in Niger Delta, it does not go round the whole nation. These killings happen in the North East, North West and in the South East. But whenever it is in the Niger Delta area, the army will go after the entire community. Like now, somebody like me who is retired, if I manage to build a house in Odi and they come and raze it down because of some youths that are not even from the community.
No matter our level of civilization, no community will do that. So the rules of engagement that apply to the Niger Delta should also apply to every other part of the Nation if such offenses are being committed. It should not be peculiar to only the South-South, the same measure that is given to us should be given to every other area.”
