Human Rights lawyer Femi Falana has reacted to the Nigerian Army declaring eight suspects wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community, Delta State.

According to him, it is illegal for them to declare murder suspects wanted.

Falana has warned the military not to bungle the case of the slain soldiers.

He said on Thursday: “The decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.

“Let the federal government direct the defence headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers.

“It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the defence headquarters.

“If the federal government fails to call the defence headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”

Speaking during the burial ceremony on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu vowed to punish the culprits.

Tinubu urged the Okuama elders and chiefs, to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the heinous crime.