President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described as disheartening, the news of the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday who were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State.
The President condemned the attacks, which he described as unwarranted and barbaric, and directed the security agencies to fish out the killers of the soldiers and also go after those calling on people to stay at home.
The personal statement from the President reads:
“I have received yet another disheartening news of the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the proscribed terrorist organization, IPOB.
The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama in Delta state.
These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country.
Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect.
They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.
The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces.
On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.
I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.
I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack, but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence.
The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness.
We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken.
While my condolences go to the families of the five slain soldiers, their colleagues and the leadership of our armed forces, I urge other men and women on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba.”
It would be recalled that on Thursday, 30th May, 2024, an army checkpoint came under heavy attack from gunmen suspected to operatives of IPOB who were moving around to enforce a sit-at-home order issued by IPOB to mark the 65th anniversary of the end of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. The attackers who came in two Toyota prado SUVs killed five soldiers in the check point.
The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti on his part, while condemning the murder of the soldiers announced a reward of N20 million to anyone who can provide information that would lead to the apprehension of the terrorists.