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Following a threat to avenge the killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State by gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order to mark Biafra Day, military authorities have been under pressure to exercise restraint and operate within the acceptable rules of professional engagement.
In their separate reactions, the lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Ejiofor; the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; former deputy governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu; and former member representing Aba South in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita, described the killing of five soldiers as a heinous and barbaric.
They appealed to the military and other security agents to seek proactive measures in tackling the situation than revenge.
Ejiofor in a statement in Owerri on Saturday, distanced the IPOB from the criminal act.
He said: “I roundly condemn in unmistaken terms, the unprovoked attack on military personnel at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State. While we pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in this dastardly act, carefully perpetuated by the real enemies of Biafra and Biafrans, I urge for all hands to be on deck to ensure that those responsible for this heinous attack are fished out.
“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.
“Furthermore, it is unreasonable to attribute the commission of this dastardly act to the IPOB, whom I am its lead counsel, even before any investigation has been conducted. IPOB has maintained its peaceful stance in their self-determination quest for a Sovereign State of Biafra, and has at all times, distanced itself from the activities of the criminals claiming to be freedom fighters, who have publicly taken responsibility for this heinous crime.”
Also reacting in a statement, Ude Oko Chukwu who expressed shock, sadness and great pain over the gruesome killing of the soldiers, condoled with the family.
In the same vein, the PDP in a statement by its acting state Publicity Secretary and Vice Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, condemned the attack.
“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”, PDP said.
