Military or Police: Who Should Investigate Killing of 17 Soldiers in Delta? Lawyer Explains

• The police have been urged to step into the investigation of the killings of the 17 soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta state
• Barrister Titilope Anifowoshe, who stated this in an interview with Legit.ng, noted that the police are responsible for investigating, arresting and prosecuting suspects
• Anifowoshe's comment came amid calls that the military should withdraw from investigating the killings

Legit.ng journalist Bada Yusuf is an accomplished politics and current affairs editor, boasting over seven years of experience in journalism and writing.

The killing of 17 soldiers in the Okuama community of Ugheli South local government area of Delta state has continued to generate reactions and concerns among well-meaning Nigerians.

In an interview with Legit.ng, Barrister Titilope Anifowoshe, a public affairs analyst, condemned the killing. She described it as a barbaric act in the 21st century.

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Anifowoshe, who called for respect for the rule of law and reasoning in addressing the situation, said the police are responsible for investigating, arresting, and charging the suspect to court for adequate justice.

Why police should investigate Delta killings

The comment of the legal icon came amid controversies about the constitutional rights of the military to investigate the killings of the soldiers in the Delta community.

Anifowoshe said:

"Under the Geneva Convention, collective punishment is prohibited, and it's the responsibility of the Nigerian Police to apprehend criminals, who should then be investigated and charged according to due process. We must ensure that all investigations are conducted in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws.

"We must also learn from past tragedies, such as the 2021 Bonta reprisal and the 2001 "Operation No Living Thing," and work tirelessly to prevent such atrocities from happening again. We cannot allow the innocent to suffer for the actions of a few, and we must uphold the principles of justice and human rights at all times."

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Lawyer condemns killings of soldiers

Legit.ng earlier reported that Anifowoshe also called for caution in fishing out the killers of the 17 soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta state.

Anifowoshe, while speaking with Legit.ng, said the rule of law and reason must be applied to address the issue.

The legal icon appealed to all parties to take emotion out of the matter while expressing regret that such a heinous crime could be committed in the 21st century.

Source: Legit.ng