Soldiers of Operation UDOKA of the Nigerian Army stationed at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area, near Aba metropolis in Abia State, were ambushed and killed by gunmen on Thursday, May 30.
The soldiers were attacked by armed men – often referred to as Unknown Gunmen, who arrived in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and opened fire at them. At least five soldiers were killed..
The army said it is mourning the “loss of these brave soldiers.” Investigations are ongoing to uncover more details about the attack and identify the perpetrators.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the army is soliciting the support of the public in combating terrorism. He said the army believes the attackers were assisted by the locals in the area, complicating efforts to achieve lasting peace.
“The lifeline of the terrorists is the people, and this situation is no exception,” Major General Buba stated. “Winning the war without the people’s support is nearly impossible. The IPOB capitalized on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops, leaving more to be desired.”
IPOB is the acronym of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a separatist group advocating for SouthEast Nigeria to have a different homeland. They’re often readily fingered by the Nigerian state for most violence in the area, but the group continues to deny it vigorously.
The army promised “overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat“.
But attacks on military personnel are all too common in Nigeria, where multiple terror groups are operating for various reasons ranging from ideological to ordinary criminality.
Abis State has been peaceful and enjoying rapid development under the new governor, Alex Otti. Abians will only hope that the enemies of her development are not orchestrating these violence to derail the magnificent developmental strides in this once deplorable state.
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