The Defence Headquarters on Friday vowed to retaliate against the killing of five soldiers by the alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who were enforcing the sit-at-home order on Thursday for the Biafra Heroes Day celebration in Aba, Abia State.
Recall that some gunmen on Thursday engaged soldiers deployed to Obikabia Junction in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State in fierce gun battle, killed some soldiers and burnt their patrol vehicle.
The South East Governors Forum, however, condemned the attack, describing it as “unfortunate,” adding that it portrays the people of South East in a bad light, as if they do not have sympathy for human beings.
The forum chairman and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who stated this in a statement on behalf of the governors, said the attack was reprehensible.
Uzodimma who addressed journalists in Owerri said, “On behalf of my brother governors in the South East Governors’ Forum, I condemn that incident and loss of the lives of soldiers who were on their duty posts.
“Without any provocation, they were attacked by the men of the underworld.
“The unfortunate thing is that it is going to act as a major set back to the peace process being pursued by the governors from the zone with the Federal Government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of security in the region,” he said.
Reacting in official statement on Friday, the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, unequivocally stated that the military will avenge the killing of the soldiers, adding that the military’s response would be fierce.
“We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” Buba said.
Giving details of the attack, Gen. Buba explained, “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 attacked by the terrorist. The terrorist in 3 tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.”
Buba, however, regretted the attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces killed in action. “The armed forces mourns the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss.”
He said that investigation had been launched concerning the attack, even as he noted lifeline of the terrorist is the people, adding that yesterday’s attack was no exemption.
“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 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 vowed.
