Edwin Clark Disputes Mercenary Involvement in Soldiers’ Killings: Calls for Community Leaders to Be Questioned

Renowned elder statesman Edwin Clark has cast doubt on the possibility of mercenaries being responsible for the recent killings of soldiers in Delta State, describing it as “difficult to believe.” In a statement made during an interview on Arise Television’s News programme on Tuesday, Clark emphasized the need for thorough investigations into the incident, urging authorities not to overlook community leaders in the process.

Clark, a prominent leader of the Ijaw Nation, expressed skepticism regarding the involvement of mercenaries in the attack. He highlighted the lack of prior knowledge about the soldiers’ route, questioning how outsiders could have ambushed them without prior information. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the military and local communities to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings.

Describing the incident as “shocking, barbaric, and wicked,” Clark urged authorities to treat all individuals involved in the investigation equally, without exempting anyone from scrutiny. He underscored the need for unity among community leaders to prevent the escalation of tensions and conflicts between different groups.

“I am an Ijaw man,” Clark stated, “and I will be the last person to allow this type of matter to degenerate to a situation whereby we have intercommunal fracas or fight.”