• Military warns it will no longer tolerate attack on personnel
• Says don’t mistake our professionalism for weakness
• Iwuanyanwu distances self, Kanu from killings
• Igbo youths condemn attack on troops in Aba
• How S’East residents complied with IPOB’s directive
• Freed Miyetti Allah leader: HURIWA tasks Tinubu on Kanu’s release
At least four soldiers were killed, yesterday, when they were attacked by gunmen in Aba, Abia State.
It was gathered that the hoodlums, numbering about 15, attacked the soldiers at about 8:00 a.m., at a military checkpoint in Obikabia Junction in the commercial city.
The gunmen were said to be enforcing a sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the Southeast to mark Biafra Day, which is celebrated yearly in the region.
Video clips showing the masked gunmen during the attack have been circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms .
In one of the clips, some armed men, dressed in black attire, were seen firing sporadic gunshots around the junction.
A military patrol truck was parked in the area. Some fear-stricken residents were seen in another clip scampering for safety around the area. The clip showed the gunmen razing the military patrol truck apparently used by the soldiers.
Shortly after the attack, an armed soldier was seen surveying the area to ascertain if the hoodlums had left.
“This army man is the only surviving person here. He was the only person that ran away,” a male voice was heard speaking in the background in the video.
The President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, distanced himself and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from the killing of the soldiers.
He described the incident as saddening, saying Kanu was not behind the sit-at-home order.
Iwuanyanwu also appealed to President Tinubu to use his political powers to free Kanu.
He spoke shortly after he visited the detained leader in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), yesterday.
Iwuanyanwu also called for a restructuring of the country.
Also, Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) condemned the attack.
President of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, said it was “the handiwork of criminal elements hiding under the cover of the Biafra struggle to perpetrate crime and destabilise Governor Alex Otti’s government.”
He said: “It is very unfortunate that the soldiers who were peacefully performing their constitutional duties of providing security in the area will be attacked by gunmen without any form of provocation whatsoever. This is completely unacceptable.
“This is the second time a military checkpoint will be attacked by gunmen in the state. This is a strong confirmation that enemies of Abia who are not happy with the transformational performance of Governor Alex Otti are at work to destabilise the state.
“These people are not happy that Abians now have a good road network, improved security, and other democracy dividends which the governor is bringing to doorsteps to make life enjoyable.
“We sympathise and commiserate with the military over this great loss, and we urge the general public to work with the government to bring the culprits to book.”
He added: “We call on Governor Alex Otti to remain resolute and steadfast in his determination to make Abia better while working hard to bring to book those enemies of Abia who are hell-bent in destroying the peace Abians are currently enjoying.”
This came as Defence Headquarters warned citizens against unprovoked attacks on personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The warning came on the heels of recent attacks on soldiers in Okuama, Delta State, and at Banex Plaza in Abuja.
The military authority also revealed that 624 terrorists were killed in May while 1,051 were arrested.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja during the bi-weekly media briefing on troops’ operational activities across various theaters of operation, the Director, Defence Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, said: “The unprovoked killing of 17 personnel in Okuama in Delta State, coupled with the recent assault of unarmed personnel at Banex Plaza in Abuja is worrisome and leaves much to be desired.
“These occurrences are unhealthy for our national security, counterproductive, and amount to self-sabotage.
“Surely, this is no way to treat any human, certainly not military personnel that places himself in harm’s way to protect citizens or to safeguard the nation.
“The military has demonstrated a high sense of discipline and professionalism in the face of untoward attacks. Our professionalism must not be mistaken for weakness.”
ECONOMIC activities came to a halt in Enugu yesterday, as fearful residents stayed indoors in compliance with a sit-at-home directive by pro-Biafra agitators.
Banks and businesses were shut. However, a few transporters operated while civil servants reported for duties.
The state government had warned the workers of the consequences if they abstained from duties.
Students who had been billed to write their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) sat for their Mathematics test, having made provisions to keep close to their school premises the previous day.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) gave the order in remembrance of Biafran soldiers killed during the Nigerian civil war.
They had urged residents to stay at home and light candles in prayer for the repose of their souls.
At Comprehensive Secondary School, some hoodlums who tied black ribbons around their heads invaded the premises after the mathematics examination had been taken and warned the students not to write the second test.
At Government College, Agbani, a team of soldiers was deployed at the gate to provide security.
There was partial observance of the order in Abia State.
A clash between the military and some hoodlums was also reported. The incident resulted in the setting ablaze of a military patrol vehicle at Umukabia junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba.
Police spokesperson in Abia, ASP Maureen Chinaka, declined comment on the incident and directed inquiries to the army spokesman.
Socio-economic activities were grounded in various parts of the 27 local council areas of Imo State.
Ever-busy streets in Owerri metropolis, like Douglas, Wethdral, Okigwe, Port Harcourt, Mbaise, Egbu, Orlu, Amakohia, Akwakuma, Ikenegbu Roads were deserted.
Also, major markets, such as Ekeonunwa, Relief, Amakohia, Alaba and others were shut.
There was near total compliance with the order in Ebonyi State.
Activities were grounded as banks, schools, offices, eateries, shopping malls and markets were under lock.
A few privately-owned cars were seen on roads, however, commercial vehicle parks were shut down.
Perhaps emboldened by the presence of heavily armed security operatives, a few commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists operated around the city centre.
Also, the All Progressives Congress chapter in the state postponed its five-man delegates’ congress. Although the party, in a statement, said the move was to allow for the screening of aspirants, many observers believed otherwise.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) described as unfortunate, the decision of President Bola Tinubu not to press ahead with charges of terrorism against the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, while fortifying the prosecution team in the case of Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB.
Calling for Kanu’s release, the group said: “It is a brutal act of hatred for the Igbo that the President insisted on charging him for terrorism. But the same administration that arrested the leader of Miyetti Allah over charges of terrorism for establishing armed Fulani vigilante in Nasarawa State, has now discontinued his prosecution.”