"Okuama Massacre: The 'Chief' Knew About Everything - CDS"
By Tola O. Ajemisogbe
In a shocking but misguided utterances that has sent waves of disbelief and anger throughout the nation, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has let out outcome of their yet to be concluded enquiry to the atrocities committed during the Okuama Massacre; "The 'chief' Knew About Everything". This appalling revelation underscores the dire situation in the South South region, where the military's actions reek of disregard and disrespect for the lives and dignity of its people.
The incident at Okuama highlights a disturbing trend: the conquest mentality of the military towards the average South South region. By dismissing a Kingdom king as a mere "chief," the CDS has not only insulted the traditional institutions of the region but also demonstrated the utter lack of respect for the people he is supposed to protect.
It raises serious questions about the rationale behind the military's actions in the region. While living Sheikh Gumi openly admits to fraternizing with herdsmen and Islamic militias, even boasting about his connections to them, the military consistently denies his claims. This glaring double standard begs the question: why is Sheikh Gumi allowed to roam freely while those like HRM Ovie Clement Ikolo are targeted and vilified?
HRM King Ikolo has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killings of 17 soldiers, yet the military insists on pinning the blame on him. This persecution of a traditional ruler further exposes the military's agenda to silence dissent and maintain control over the region's God-given resources.
It's abundantly clear that the military is targeting the souls of the South South because of our abundant natural resources. They will stop at nothing to silence us and exploit our land for their own gain.
In this time of distress, we call upon God to come to our rescue. We implore the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, and the African Union to intervene on our behalf. We plead with them to urge the military to recognize that the crude oil they are killing us for is a gift from God, not a tool for oppression and exploitation.
We urge the international community to compare the arrest of HRM King Ikolo with the impunity enjoyed by Sheikh Gumi. Let them see the injustice and hypocrisy that plagues our region. Let them stand with us in solidarity as we fight for our rights, our dignity, and our very lives.
