The Defence authorities have declared eight people wanted over the gruesome murder of 17 military personnel of peace keeping mission in Okuama, Ugheli South Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14.
Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (a.k.a Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Ogenerukeywe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.
The murder of the innocent soldiers had elicited widespread condemnation among Nigerians with the President giving directives that those behind the dastardly act are tracked and brought to justice.
The President, Senator Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, conferred posthumous national honours on the 17 military personnel who were murdered by hoodlums in Okuama community of Delta state on March 14, 2024.
Tinuubu conferred the national honors on the late soldiers at their burial ceremony held at the National Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday, March 27.
The President conferred the post humous national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger on the Commanding Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).
Tinubu also conferred the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger on the 14 soldiers who were murdered alongside the officers at Okuama.
Those honoured in death are SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).
The President made the announcements during the burial ceremony of the murdered military personnel at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday.
The President also directed the payment of death benefits to the family members within 90 days.
The President in a great display of compassion announced the provision of housing facilities for the surviving family members in addition to scholarships for all their children to the tertiary education level.