The Nigerian Army has vowed to impose overwhelming military pressure on the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in response to the killing of five soldiers at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement released today.
Buba detailed that the incident occurred on Wednesday at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area, adjacent to the Aba metropolis. The troops, part of Operation UDO KA, were deployed to maintain peace and protect citizens in the region.
According to Buba, the soldiers were ambushed by IPOB members who arrived in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs. The attackers, also positioned in built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, launched a surprise assault that resulted in the tragic loss of five military personnel.
“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces. The armed forces mourn these troops, as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Investigations are ongoing concerning the attack.”
“The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” Buba stated.
He highlighted the significance of public support in combating terrorism, noting that IPOB exploits the local population to perpetrate attacks on military personnel.
“Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible, and the IPOB capitalised on this to carry out their attack,” he said.
The Major-General called for intensified efforts to garner public cooperation in the fight against terrorism, underscoring that the lifeline of any terrorist group lies within the communities they operate.
NAN