*Photo: Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle*
Minister of State for Defence, Dr Muhammed Bello Matawalle has described the killing of soldiers on duty at Obikabia junction in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State by hoodlums said to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as barbaric,abominable and wicked.
The Minister added the killing of the five innocent military personnel is totally reprehensible and disheartening.
He therefore vowed that those responsible for the heinous act would be brought to justice, according to a press statement on Saturday by Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.
According to the Minister, the brutal killing of the soldiers in Aba was without any provocation while on a lawful duty, protecting innocent citizens against the threat of non-state actors.
Dr. Matawalle extended his condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian Military, urging the troops not to be deterred by the attack. He reaffirmed 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 Minister emphasized 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.
