President Bola Tinubu has directed the armed forces to go after killers of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State and those asking people to sit at home.
This comes after about 15 gunmen enforcing sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked soldiers at about 8a.m. on Thursday at a military checkpoint in Obikabia Junction.
A military patrol truck was also set on fire.
The sit-at-home order which disrupted business activities in the South East region was to mark the annual Biafra Day.
Reacting to the attack on soldiers, Tinubu said in a statement he signed on Saturday, “I have received yet another disheartening news of the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the proscribed terrorist organization, IPOB.
“The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama in Delta state.
“These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country.
“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect.
“They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.”
Tinubu said the Federal Government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack security officers, adding that no one should 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.
“We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken,” Tinubu said.
The president condoled with the bereaved families, and the leadership of our armed forces, urging other security personnel on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the incident in Aba.
