31st May, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Abia Government has placed N25m bounty on the gunmen who murdered five soldiers at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill area of Aba town of the state on Thursday.
The gunmen, who were allegedly enforcing stay- at- home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB declared to mark Biafra Day also burnt the patrol van of the soldiers and went away with their guns.
The Abia State Government, in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture Okey Kanu also condoled with the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja over the murder of the soldiers.
The state government described the killing of the soldiers as unfortunate and prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant soldiers who died on active duty.
“To underscore its resolve, the State Government is offering a N25 million (Twenty-five Million Naira) reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs,”
“The security formations in the State have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book.”
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters had in a statement earlier Friday confirmed the killing of the five soldiers by IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Spokesperson for Defence Headquarters, Major General Edward Buba, confirmed that the attack took place at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area adjourning Aba metropolis where troops of Operation Udoka were deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens.
According to him, the gunmen who attacked the troops in the surprise assault came in three-tinted Toyota Prado SUVs and others, from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, adding that six civilians were killed in the crossfire that ensued between the terrorists and the troops.
“Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorists of IPOB/ ESN.
“The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massively attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists, in three-tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint. The attack sadly took the lives of 5 personnel of the armed forces killed in action.
“The armed forces mourn the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing concerning the
“Overall, it must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorist is the people and this situation is no exemption. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. The IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops. The situation leaves more to be desired.
“Accordingly, it is imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” the statement read.