Abia govt places N25m bounty on killers of soldiers in Aba

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Abia State Government, on Friday, placed a N25 million bounty on the suspected gunmen who killed five soldiers in Aba on Thursday.

This was as the Nigerian Army, early Friday, confirmed that five soldiers were killed in the gunmen attack on its outpost in the city.

Confirming the killings in a press release, signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the Army, said “Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorist of IPOB/ ESN. The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massed and attacked by the terrorists. The terrorist in 3 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 attack.”

However, the state government, in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that “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 statement added that “the Abia State Government will, in line with its commitment to the welfare of the security operatives working within its territory, take up the responsibility of supporting the families of the slain soldiers, including payment of regular stipends to their spouses, and the education of their children to university level. It is the least the State can do for the soldiers who died in brave service to their fatherland.”

Reacting to the attack, some citizens and residents of the state have expressed their shock, describing it as unnecessary, wicked and unacceptable.

Notable among them include Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu; Sen. Enyi Abaribe; the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa; and House of Representatives member, Obi Aguocha, among others.

Reacting, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu condemned the killing of the soldiers, describing the incident as “wicked, evil and unacceptable”, and called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the ugly act, noting that “the personnel of the armed forces don’t deserve to be maltreated in view of the role they play in national security.”

The former Governor while calling on the people of Abia state to be calm and law-abiding, emphasized that peace is a panacea for development and commiserated with the Nigerian Army on the sad development.

“The killing of soldiers at a checkpoint in Aba is barbaric. The perpetrators must be identified for appropriate actions. For the sake of growth and progress of the South East, all hands must be on deck to fish out criminals in the region”, Kalu and urged security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident in a bid to forestall recurrence.

Also reacting, the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described it as “disheartening and barbaric”.

In a statement released through his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, Abaribe called on the security authorities to immediately apprehend the killers and ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.

Senator Abaribe who represents Abia South in the Senate said “There is no justification whatsoever for anybody or group of persons to harm any security officer not to talk of killing any in whatever guise”, and appealed to the authorities particularly the military to “mitigate the ugly situation for the sake of other Innocent civilians who are going about their respective businesses oblivious of the heinous conduct of demented souls that are bent on bringing society to its knees”.

Also, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, in a statement issued through his press secretary, Ujoh Okechukwu, described the act as “barbaric, reprehensible and generally untoward” and expressed his displeasure over the incident, stressing, “the administration of Dr Alex Otti would not further tolerate such uncivilized acts”, assuring that efforts would be intensified to fish the perpetrators of such heinous crime.”

Meanwhile, a member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, has also described the incident as a “very unfortunate and unnecessary incident”. According to him, “It further delays our peace process and efforts aimed at the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

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