The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has alleged that youths from Okuama community in Delta State were involved in the removal of vital body parts from the 17 soldiers who were killed.

Lagbaja revealed that the deceased soldiers, considered among the finest in the Nigerian Army, had their bodies dismembered and scattered across the Okuama community.

Addressing attendees during the burial ceremony for the 17 soldiers at the Military Cemetery in Abuja, Lagbaja expressed deep sorrow over the gruesome nature of the soldiers’ deaths and the subsequent treatment of their remains.

He emphasized the demoralizing impact of such acts, stating that while soldiers understand the risks of combat, being brutally murdered by those they are trained to defend is profoundly disheartening.

The Army Chief condemned the heinous attack, describing it as barbaric and an affront to the state. He lamented the challenges faced during the recovery efforts, which lasted over 72 hours and involved locating scattered body parts and missing equipment.

Despite setbacks, Lagbaja affirmed the Nigerian Army’s resolve to pursue justice and recover all stolen arms and ammunition.

He assured the public of collaborative efforts with other security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators and hold them accountable for their actions.