The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has vowed to retaliate against the Thursday killing of 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 of Defence Media Operations, who made the vow in a statement in Abuja, said: “The military must 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.”
While explaining how the soldiers were killed, Gen. Buba noted: “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 terrorists of IPOB/ESN.
“The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massed and attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists 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.”
Gen Buba added that the Armed Forces mourn the demise of troops, noting that every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss.
He also disclosed that investigations were ongoing concerning the attack.
“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 stressed.
D’Gallery recalls that this is the third time in recent months that soldiers had been brutally killed or publicly assaulted, particularly the
Okuama killings as well as the attack on soldiers by a mob at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja.
