Minister of State for Defence, Dr Muhammed Bello Matawalle, on Saturday described the killing of five soldiers on duty at Obikabia junction in Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State “by hoodlums masquerading as indigenous People of Biafra as barbaric, abominable and wicked.”
Stating that “the killing of the five innocent military personnel is totally reprehensible and disheartening,” Matawalle “vowed that those responsible for the heinous act would be brought to justice.”
The five soldiers gunned down during the observance of Biafra Day on May 30, 2024 include Sergeant Charles Ugochukwu (94NA/38/1467), Sergeant Bala Abraham (03NA/53/1028), Corporal Gideon Egwe (10NA/65/7085), Corporal Ikpeama Ikechukwu (13NA/70/5483) and Lance Corporal Augustine Emmanuel (13NA/70/6663).
The Defence Minister, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defence Director of Information and Public Relations, noted that “the brutal assassination of the soldiers in Aba was without any provocation while on a lawful duty, protecting innocent citizens against the threat of non-State actors.”
Matawalle extended his condolences “to the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian Military, urging the troops not to be deterred by the attack.”
He reaffirmed “the federal government’s commitment to supporting the military in their efforts to defeat IPOB, ESN and other criminals in other regions of the country to ensure total security in the nation.
“The Minister emphasized the crucial role of local communities in combating terrorism, urging citizens to provide information that could aid military operations against terrorist groups and keep faith with Nigeria.”