The Abia State Government has offered a ₦25 million reward for information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators responsible for the killing of five Nigerian soldiers in Aba. Following the tragic incident, the state has also extended its condolences to the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja.
Recall that on Thursday, gunmen launched an assault on the military unit stationed at Obikabia Junction in the Ogbor Hill area of the state. The unit was destroyed, with patrol vans burnt beyond recognition. While some managed to escape, five soldiers were tragically caught in the blaze.
The government of Abia State has strongly condemned the attack and expressed heartfelt prayers for the souls of the soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“To underscore its resolve, the State Government is offering a N25 million (Twenty-five Million Naira) reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs,” a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture Okey Kanu read.
“The security formations in the State have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book.”
Commenting on the matter, the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, condemned the killing and urged the military to uncover the perpetrators decsribing the incident as unfortunate.
“On behalf of my brother governors in the South East Governors’ Forum, I condemn that incident and loss of the lives of soldiers who were on their duty posts,” he said.
“Without any provocation, they were attacked by the men of the underworld. I want to condemn that and also to urge security agents to go all out and ensure that those behind that are caught and brought to book.
“It is unfortunate that this happened. Without any reason, innocent people who were doing their lawful duty were burned down.
“The unfortunate thing is that it is going to act as a major setback to the peace process which the governors from the South East have been pursuing in talking to the Federal Government, security agencies, and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of insecurity in the South-East,” he said.