Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, has condemned, in strong terms, the ongoing reprisal attack by soldiers in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
While condemning the gruesome murder of military personnel in the Delta community, Obi, in a statement on his verified X page, urged the military to note that “reprisal arson attacks on the community cannot compensate for the original wrong of the killing of the soldiers.”
Stating that “two wrongs do not make a right,” Obi noted that “innocent lives will be lost in these reprisal attacks, and innocent citizens who had no hand in the ugly crimes may be rendered homeless by the unwanted destruction of the community.”
Obi’s statement reads, “Earlier today, I added my voice to that of other Nigerians in condemning, in the strongest terms, the mindless killing of security personnel who were on a peacekeeping mission in a community in Delta State.
“The act remains censured and accursed by all right-thinking Nigerians. However, the emerging disturbing reports of the community being under arson attack are equally unpalatable and wrongheaded.
“In all situations, two wrongs cannot produce a right. Reprisal arson attacks on the community cannot compensate for the original wrong of the killing of the soldiers.
“It is most likely that innocent lives will be lost in these reprisal attacks, and innocent citizens who had no hand in the ugly crimes may be rendered homeless by the unwanted destruction of the community.
“The correct and civilized thing to do is to put all machinery in place to apprehend the real perpetrators of the original ignoble act and bring them to book.
“As painful as the act may be, I appeal to the security agencies to be considerate and avoid transferring their anger to helpless members of the community. I have also learned that the government of Delta State was on top of this situation before it escalated.
“I urge the governor not to relent but to put in more effort to ensure minimal damage. In this regard, he needs the involvement of all community leaders to calm the nerves.
“Once again, my heart goes out in sympathy to all the bereaved in this unfortunate incident as I pray God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.”
