THE military stated that terrorists from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), attacked its troops in Abia State yesterday, killing five officers.
According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the attack occurred at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas, which adjourns Aba metropolis, where troops from Operation Udoka were deployed to maintain peace and protect citizens.
He stated that the terrorists who attacked the military in the surprise assault arrived in three-tinted Toyota Prado SUVs and other vehicles from the built-up regions near the checkpoint.
The military also revealed that six personnel were killed in the resulting crossfire between the terrorists and the troops.
According to Major General Buba, the investigation into the attack is ongoing.
The military also promised to retaliate the attack on its men, stating that the response will be brutal.
“Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorist of IPOB/ ESN.
“The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massively attacked by the terrorist. The terrorists, in three-tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint. The attack sadly took the lives of 5 personnel of the armed forces killed in action.
“The armed forces mourns the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigation are ongoing concerning the attack.
“Overall, it must be reiterated 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,” the statement read.
The IPOB/ESN terrorists attacked the soldiers while enforcing a sit-at-home order throughout the southeast.
Meanwhile, President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has distanced himself and IPOB’s jailed leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the killings of troops in Aba.
He described the episode as tragic, saying that Kanu was not behind the sit-at-home order.
Iwuanyanwu urged President Bola Tinubu to use his political power to free Kanu.
He stated this immediately after visiting the jailed leader in DSS custody yesterday. He also advocated for a country-wide restructuring.
Last week, IPOB designated May 30 as a sit-at-home day in the southeast to remember “our heroes and heroines” who died during the 1967-1970 civil conflict.
The outlawed group’s “Biafran Heroes Day” sit-in at home paralyzed commercial and economic activity in sections of Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi states yesterday, closing banks, schools, marketplaces, car parks, petrol stations, and other public areas.
