Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, has said killers of soldiers who were murdered in Abia state on Thursday would be brought to justice.
News About Nigeria reported that five soldiers were killed on Thursday during the sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the Southeast over the continuous detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement by Henshaw Ogubike, the Director, Ministry of Defence on Saturday,
Matawalle described the heinous act as “barbaric and abominable,” adding that the death of the five innocent military personnel was totally reprehensible and disheartening.
The Defence Minister vowed that the perpetrators must face justice, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the military in their efforts to defeat IPOB, ESN and other criminals in other regions of the country to ensure total security in the nation.
“The brutal assassination of the soldiers in Aba was without any provocation while on a lawful duty, protecting innocent citizens against the threat of non-state actors” the statement said.
The Minister condoled the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian military, urging the troops not to be deterred by the attack.
He stressed the crucial role of local communities in combating terrorism, urging citizens to provide information that could aid military operations against terrorist groups and keep faith with Nigeria.
Recall that the military high command has vowed to respond fiercely to the attack.
Also, the Abia Government had placed N25m bounty on the gunmen who murdered the soldiers, describing the killing as unfortunate and prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant soldiers who died on active duty.
