Call For Restraint Following Aba Soldiers’ Killing

The recent killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State, by gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order to mark Biafra Day has led to a heated call for restraint and professional conduct from the military, amid fears of a possible reprisal attack. The incident has been widely condemned by various stakeholders who emphasize the need for a measured response to avoid harming innocent civilians……CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Appeals for Restraint

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), condemned the attack and urged the military to avoid punishing innocent citizens. He distanced IPOB from the act, highlighting the organization’s commitment to peaceful self-determination.

“Unfortunately, the victims of the envisaged reprisal attacks and/or arrests from the soldiers would be innocent citizens who know absolutely nothing about the incident. While we encourage a thorough investigation of this heinous crime, we shall at the same time urge the soldiers and other security agents to exercise the greatest restraint and operate within the acceptable rules of professional engagement, to avoid punishing the innocent for an offence they know nothing about.”

Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, former deputy governor of Abia State, expressed deep sadness over the killings and appealed to the military to avoid reprisal attacks to prevent collateral damage to innocent civilians. He called on residents to trust in the efforts of the Governor Otti-led administration to secure the state.

Condemnations and Calls for Justice

Hon. Obinna Ichita, former member of the Abia State House of Assembly and Country Director for the German Initiative for Knowledge Transfer eV in Nigeria, condemned the attack and expressed sympathy for the families of the fallen soldiers. He emphasized the importance of following the rule of law and urged the military to refrain from indiscriminate retaliation.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), through its acting state Publicity Secretary and Vice Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, also condemned the attack and called for a careful and discerning approach in seeking justice for the slain soldiers.

“The incident is quite regrettable, especially coming at a time when officers and men of the Nigerian military are working tirelessly to rid society of tension and anarchy and set up the country for forward movement towards development.”

Police Response

Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, assured that the law would be applied to bring the perpetrators to justice. He urged the public to continue their lawful activities without fear and to cooperate with security agencies.

“The point is that it is a very unfortunate incident and it is highly condemnable and indeed, it is cowardly. All I can tell you is that the security agencies, the government of Abia State and all well-meaning Nigerians feel very bad about what had happened and everything that needs to be done will be done to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”

Conclusion

The killings in Aba have generated significant concern and calls for a restrained and lawful response from the military to prevent further violence and protect innocent lives. As various stakeholders condemn the attack and urge for a thorough investigation, the focus remains on maintaining peace and ensuring justice is served without resorting to indiscriminate reprisals.