By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), promised to retaliate the killing of five soldiers in Aba by yet to be identified unknown gunmen.
The Military High Command also vowed to be ruthless in its reprisal to serve as a deterrent to others.
Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, in a statement in Abuja, said: “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”.
Narrating how the soldiers were killed, 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 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 five personnel of the armed forces killed in action”.
The armed forces, Gen Buba said, mourns the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss.
Noting that investigation is ongoing concerning the attack, the Director, 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,” he concluded.
The Aba killing has brought to three, similar ugly incidents in recent months that solders were gruesomely murdered or publicly dehumanized, as was the case with Banex plaza.
Recalled the Okuama killings, though dissimilar to the Aba killings, they are all condemnable.
