The Abia State Authority have revealed that they have started receiving credible intelligence as regards the unfortunate killings of five Nigeria soldiers on May 30, 2024 at a Military checkpoint in Obikabia junction in Aba North Local Council of the State, by some yet-to-be identified gunmen.
The State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, who made this known during another lap of his trouble-shooting visits to the 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army in the Ossisioma area of Aba, however, appealed to the Military to carry out its investigations into the incident in a manner that will not lead to innocent people suffering unjustly.
The Source reports that Governor Otti, had, in the wake of the killings visited the Asa Ukwa West Military formation where he met and identified with the family members and widows of the deceased soldiers.
In a statement issued on Thursday June ,6 , by his Media Aide Kazie Uko, the Abia State Governor who was received during the visit by the Commanding Officer of the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia Brigadier O O Diya ,said that going by the intelligence at the disposal of the Government, the criminal act may have been perpetrated by people who are opposed to the progress and good things that are happening in Abia state.
” I have come to specifically address you on the unfortunate incident that happened a week ago in Obikabia Junction in Obingwa Local Government Area, very close to Aba.
“My name is Alex Otti, I am the Governor of Abia State. I feel it is my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the State to speak to you, commiserate with you, and also ensure that your morale is boosted, that you don’t get discouraged and you don’t get distracted by this unfortunate incident.
“The State has already placed a bounty of 25 million Naira on anybody who has information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of people who were involved in this dastardly act, remotely or directly.
“We have started getting very credible information. This intelligence gathering will continue, but I do not want it to dampen your morale. We have all been working together to secure this State in the last one year that I have been the Governor of the State, and I want to encourage you to continue your work, don’t get distracted.
“I believe, from credible intelligence available to us, that this criminal act may have been executed by people who are opposed to the progress and the good things that are happening in Abia. One of the last things we want to do is to humour them by allowing them to distract us.
“So, we will get to the root of the matter, we will arrest everyone that is involved. I have in the last few days also visited the widows of the five gallant officers that were brutally murdered. As a State we have committed to absorbing them, whether they come from the State or not, we have absorbed them as part of this State. All their children are now on scholarship and they will remain on scholarship until they graduate from the university and we will also keep supporting the widows and ensure that they do not lack anything.
“I want to assure you that this State will do everything possible to ensure that all of you are protected.
“I’m also aware that some people have been picked up before now, but when I spoke with the GOC this morning, he told me that virtually everyone that was picked up has been released except for about nine or 10 people who are still being investigated.
“We, as a State, support thorough investigation, but we will also appeal to you that a lot of innocent civilians, who you will encounter may not have been involved. I believe that most of them are not involved. It is even possible that those who committed this crime came from outside the State. So whatever be the case we will not like to punish those who are innocent with those who are guilty because like it is said, two wrongs cannot make a right.
“So, I will like to encourage you, I will like to appeal to your leaders to ensure that people are treated decently, people are given the utmost respect that they deserve while we are doing our job” the statement reads .
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