Military Vows Fierce Response to IPOB Attack in Aba
By Mathew Eloyi
The Military High Command has vowed to apply overwhelming military pressure on the proscribed Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) following the killing of five soldiers at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State, on Wednesday.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He emphasized that the military would respond fiercely to the attack to ensure the total defeat of the group.
Buba detailed that troops of Operation UDO KA, stationed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area near Aba, were attacked and killed by IPOB/ESN terrorists. The soldiers, deployed to enforce peace and protect citizens, were ambushed by terrorists in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from surrounding built-up areas.
“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,” Buba stated.
He further noted that investigations are ongoing regarding the attack and reiterated the importance of public support in combating terrorism. “Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible and the IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops. The situation leaves more to be desired,” Buba added.
“It is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” he concluded.
