Barrister Titilope Anifowoshe, a Kwara State-based lawyer and budding politician, has said that the recent military action in Okuama community following the killing of some soldiers there is deeply concerning and violated the principles of humanity and justice.

Barrister Anifowoshe, who spoke to Sunday Independent said that while it is crucial to hold perpetrators accountable, it must be done within the framework of the rule of law and due process.

According to her, “Multiple news reports had it that those communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi local government areas were taken over by troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, who also oversee the 63 brigade in Asaba.

“While there have been videos of houses being razed on Sunday morning, it is unconfirmed if it was soldiers on a revenge mission, who razed houses.

“Some residents of the Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, South-south Nigeria, have reportedly fled their homes over fear of reprisal attacks from the military.

“President Tinubu’s authorisation of the Nigerian Army to address the situation should prioritise legal investigations, rather than emotional retaliation.

“Collective punishment, as prohibited by the Geneva Convention, must be avoided and all investigations should adhere to constitutional and legal standards.

“By law, the Nigerian Police are tasked with apprehending the perpetrators of the criminal offense, who are then subject to investigation and prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction.

“We must learn from past mistakes and ensure that justice is served without resorting to unlawful or disproportionate measures like the 2021 Bonta reprisal or 2001 ‘Operation No Living Thing’ in 2001, when the military carried out a mass execution of hundreds of unarmed Tiv civilians following the killing of 19 soldiers.”