- By Halimah Olamide
The men killed were members of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State.
The Nigerian Army on Friday vowed to avenge the killing of its men by militants believed to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.
NPO Reported earlier that no fewer than three soldiers were killed in the South East region of the country when IPOB men tried to enforce a sit-at-home order said to be in honour of those who had lost their lives while struggling for the actualisation of the Biafra Republic.
The men killed were members of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State.
Confirming the killing of five soldiers, Major General Edward Buba Director of Army Information, said the troops “deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massed attacked by the terrorist.”
He added that “The terrorist in 3 tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from builtup areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.”
Buba went further to say that The attack sadly took the lifes of 5 personnel of the armed forces killed in action.”He said the armed forces are mourning the death othese troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. He added that investigation are ongoing concerning the attack.
Buba said , “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.”