Nigerian Army, Police keep mum over killing of soldiers in Abia during Biafra Day

The Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force have kept mum on the reported killing of soldiers in Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill area, Aba, Abia State more than 10 hours after the video of the incident went viral.

Last week, IPOB declared May 30 as a sit-at-home in the southeast to honour “our heroes and heroines” who died in the civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“Annually, 30th of May is solemn memorial day for Biafrans. To honor our heroes and heroines. Biafrans are asked to observe this one (1) day sit-at-home in reverence to the spirits of our departed heroes who fought for us to be alive today,” Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesperson, said in a statement.

“Every Biafran in Biafra territory is expected to sit-at-home on this day and reflect on the danger of the forced unity called Nigeria that have taken millions of lives of Biafrans.

“To that effect, IPOB directs all schools, government offices, Private offices, Banks, transport unions, market unions and private individuals to shut down all operations in honor of our our heroes and heroines on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

“IPOB directs all the residents of Biafra Land to stay indoors from 6am to 6pm on the 30th of May 2024. IPOB warns residents in Biafra to avoid loitering about on this day. Those who intend to travel to and fro Biafra land must do so before the evening of May 29th.”

On Thursday, May 30, which was designated as “Biafra Day” by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), business activities came to a standstill across states in the South-East region.

Amid the order, gunmen stormed a military checkpoint at the Obikabia Junction in the Obingwa Local Councils of Abia state and reportedly killed four soldiers. They also burnt the unit as well as a patrol van parked in the unit, while some soldiers were alleged to have escaped the attack by the gunmen.

However, army and police authorities have yet to comment on the matter as of the time of this report.

The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations refused to take calls and when contacted, the spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command Maureen Chinaka said: “I refer you all to the military PRO as I do not speak for the military”.

Meanwhile, the south-east governors’ forum has condemned the murder of soldiers by suspected members of the proscribed IPOB in Abia.

Briefing journalists on Thursday, Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the south-east governors’ forum, described the incident as “unfortunate”.

“On behalf of my brother governors in the south-east governors’ forum, I condemn that incident and loss of the lives of soldiers who were on their duty posts,” Uzodimma said.

“Without any provocation, they were attacked by the men of the underworld.”

He explained that the incident is a major setback for the region.

Uzodimma urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

“The unfortunate thing is that it is going to act as a major setback to the peace process being pursued by the governors from the zone with the federal government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of security in the region,” he added.

“Go all out and ensure that those behind it are caught and brought to book.”

The governor commiserated with the army and families of the deceased.