President Bola Tinubu has ordered crackdown on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) following the brutal killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, resulted in the death of five soldiers and marked the second attack of that nature in recent months, following a similar one in Okuama, Delta State, that claimed the lives of seventeen soldiers including a lieutenant colonel, two majors and a captain.
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In a strongly worded statement, Tinubu described the attack as “unwarranted, barbaric, and evil” and vowed that such acts would not be condoned by the Federal Government.
“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,” the president warned.
Earlier, the military high command promised a fierce response to the killing of the soldiers.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the military would bring overwhelming pressure on IPOB to ensure their total defeat.
According to him, the slain soldiers belonged to Operation UDO KA and were deployed at Obikabia junction checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia, where they attacked and killed by suspected IPOB/ESN members.
Buba said the surprise attack was executed using three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and additional assailants from surrounding area.
“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces. The armed forces mourns these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss.
“Meanwhile, investigation are ongoing concerning the attack. 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 and the IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops.
“The situation leave more to be desired. Accordingly, it is absolutely 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,” he said.
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