The Nigerian military high command has vowed to retaliate the killing of five soldiers by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB on Thursday.
Recall that soldiers were killed and their vans razed by gunmen enforcing the the IPOB’s Sit-At-Home order at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas in Abia.
CrimeFacts news also gathered that stray bullet from yesterday’s shootings killed a civilian.
However in a tense statement in Friday morning by Major General, Edward Buba, the Director Defence Media Operations, he said it must be reinterated that the lifeline of the terrorist is the people and this situation is no exemption. Noting that winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible.
The statement reads, ”Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at 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 3 tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from builtup areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.
”The attack sadly took the lifes of 5 personnel of the armed forces killed in action.
”The armed forces mourns the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigation are ongoing concerning the attack.
”Overall, it must be reinterated 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.
