In a firm stance against recent violence in the South-East, President Bola Tinubu has labeled the sit-at-home actions as treasonable.
This declaration follows the killing of five soldiers at the Obikabia Junction checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, an attack attributed by the Defence Headquarters to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) during a sit-at-home called by IPOB for Biafra Day.
President Tinubu has directed security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings and the instigators of the sit-at-home orders. He emphasized that the government’s restraint in dealing with violent attacks should not be mistaken for weakness and assured that decisive action would be taken against any threats to the lives of security personnel.
In a personal statement, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased soldiers, who he said were on peacekeeping duty. He condemned the murders as “unwarranted, barbaric, and evil acts” that should not be tolerated in Nigeria. He reaffirmed the federal government’s capacity to quell violent non-state actors and called for the perpetrators and instigators to be brought to justice.
“The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident in Okuama in Delta State. These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country,” Tinubu stated.
He urged security agencies to ensure the masterminds of the Aba attack and those promoting sit-at-home actions face consequences for their actions, labeling these acts as treasonable offenses. Tinubu warned that while security forces exercise necessary restraint, this should not be mistaken for weakness.
Abia State Police Commissioner Kenechukwu Onwuemelie echoed the President’s sentiments, describing the killings as cowardly and condemnable. He assured that the law would take its course and urged citizens to continue their lawful activities without fear, maintaining cooperation with security agencies.
Following an expanded meeting of the state security council and the State Advisory Council, Onwuemelie assured that measures would be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. He emphasized the importance of resilience, stating, “No society is completely immune from security breaches, even the most developed climes.”
The Defence Headquarters, represented by Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, announced plans for a fierce and overwhelming response to the killings, promising significant military pressure to ensure the defeat of the perpetrators. The Abia State government has also placed a N25 million bounty on those responsible, describing the act as a serious affront to its commitment to security.
