The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), says it not involved in murder of soldiers in Abia on Thursday.
IPOB has also been enforcing sit-at-homes in the south-east since Kanu was forcibly brought back to Nigeria.
IPOB announced last week that May 30 will be a day of sit-at-homes in the southeast to honor “our heroes and heroines” who lost their lives in the 1967–1970 civil war. Five soldiers were slain by gunmen in Abia state on May 30.
The gunmen who were purportedly enforcing the sit-at-home, opened fire on a military checkpoint in Obikabia junction in Aba.
READ ALSO: Military Vows to Crush IPOB Over Killing of Soldiers in Aba
The military then swore to exact revenge for the killings. The south-east state inhabitants were instructed by the police to disregard the directive from IPOB. In response, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful issued a statement on the group’s behalf, accusing politicians of being the attack’s perpetrators. “Those responsible for this attack (on the military at their check station in Aba) are politicians,” declared Powerful. Declaring that the perpetrators of the incident intended to spread instability throughout the state, he urged Governor Alex Otti to exercise caution when it comes to people who target Aba for crises.
“They are planning to create problems in peaceful Enyimba City; so the Governor of Abia State must be careful (because) they (politicians) are coming to create crisis in Aba”, the IPOB spokesman stated further.
He continued, “Those who were used to attack military on duty are criminals, not IPOB. We are much engaged with sit-at-home to remember our fallen heroes and heroines who died during the genocidal war against Biafrans and Ndi Igbo. IPOB condemns the criminal activities of yesterday (May 30, 2024).
“We condemn the attack on military on duty in Aba. We are not involved because sit-at-home was time for mourning of our heroes and heroines and not for attack on anybody.
“Therefore, anybody mentioning IPOB as responsible for the attack on (the military) in Aba must be under the control of something. IPOB have no chance to attack anyone,” IPOB imagemaker said.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Government has announced N25 million bounty on perpetrators of the tragic attack on check-point at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, announced this via a statement made available to journalists in Umuahia, the state capital.
The state government, the statement said, commiserated with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the military high command over the unfortunate incident, and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the soldiers.
The statement said the government was committed to security, safety and peace of the state, and considered the attack as a serious affront to its resolve by criminal elements who were hell-bent to return the state to the dark days of insecurity and fear.
The Abia State Government noted that it was regrettable that the attack occured when unprecedented investments have been made in the last one year to restore public infrastructure in Aba, and reposition the city as an attractive investment destination for local and foreign businesses.
“The security formations have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book.
“The government wishes to use this medium to encourage citizens to go about their legitimate duties without fear as necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of residents, and businesses in all parts of the state.
“Individuals with useful information on the activities and movement of criminals in their neighbourhood are also advised to share such information with the security agencies as quickly as possible for necessary action,” the statement said.
