Killing Of 5 Soldiers: Nigerian Military Vows To Crush IPOB, Says Response Will Be Fierce, Overwhelming

The Defence Headquarters has vowed that the military will retaliate against the killing of five soldiers in Abia State on Thursday.

The soldiers were killed by gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order given by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to remember the Igbo people who died during the 1967-70 Nigerian Civil War.

IPOB has set aside May 30 to mark Biafra Heroes Day.

However, the defence headquarters on Friday accused IPOB and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network of killing the soldiers.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the soldiers at Obikabia Junction in the Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.  

Reacting to the soldiers’ killing in an official statement on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the military would 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, Buba said, “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 mass attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists in 3 tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.”

Buba regretted the attack, saying it took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces in the line of duty.

“The armed forces mourn the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss,” he said.

He said that an investigation had been launched into the tragic incident.

He said, “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.