THE Abia State Government has announced a reward of N25 million for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators responsible for the killing of five soldiers in the Aba region of the state.
The government also offered condolences to Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, following the tragic incident.
Gunmen yesterday attacked a military unit at Obikabia Junction in the Ogbor Hill area, burning the unit and a patrol van parked there. Fortunately some soldiers managed to escape the assault.
A day after the attack, the state government expressed regret over the incident and offered prayers for the souls of the deceased soldiers.
In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, the government promised confidentiality and cooperation with informants who assist in locating and arresting the criminals involved in the killings that have created fear in Aba and its surroundings.
Military authorities later confirmed the attack, attributing it to suspected terrorists from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Major General Edward Buba, the defence spokesperson, stated that the ambush resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and six civilians in a crossfire.
The Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, condemned the incident, urging security agencies to uncover the identities of the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
