By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, has described the gruesome murder of the 16 military personnel in Okuama Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta as barbaric and condemnable.
He expressed his deepest condolences when the 4-Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Benin City
“I think the Army should be appreciated by Nigerians a lot for what they are doing. I want to quickly express our condolences to the Army on the killings that happened recently in Okuoma. It was terrible!
“We have heard different versions of what happened. Whatever story they are going to say doesn’t really justify the soldiers being killed like that.
“I think Nigerians should support the Army. The Army is being seen to be disciplined. It is a force to be reckoned with, and should not be treated anyhow”, Oba Ewuare II said.
The Benin monarch, thereafter prayed God and his ancestors to protect the Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agents along with their families from harm’s way.
Earlier in his remarks, the 4-Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, pledged his loyalty to Oba Ewuare II for adding a touch of glamour to royalty and seeks for his blessings, prayer and cooperation to be able to succeed.
The military officer said his prayer request was necessitated by Command’s philosophy’ of the Chief of Army Staff, with highly motivated Forces that discharge its Constitutional responsibilities.
Highpoint of the visit was a presentation of a plaque to the Royal parsonage by Brigadier-General Ebenezer Oduyebo, who assumed duty at the 4-Brigade headquarters in Benin City on 12th January, 2024.