- Matawalle added that the killing of the five innocent military personnel was totally reprehensible and disheartening.
- The Minister condoled the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian military.
Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, killers of soldiers who were murdered in Abia state on Thursday must be brought to justice.
Recall that five soldiers were killed during the sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the Southeast over the continuous detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday.
In a statement by Henshaw Ogubike, the Director, Ministry of Defence in Saturday,
Matawalle described the heinous act as “barbaric and abominable,” adding that the death of the five innocent military personnel was totally reprehensible and disheartening.
The Defense Minister vowed that the perpetrators must face justice, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the military in their efforts to defeat IPOB, ESN and other criminals in other regions of the country to ensure total security in the nation.
“The brutal assassination of the soldiers in Aba was without any provocation while on a lawful duty, protecting innocent citizens against the threat of non-state actors” the statement said.
The Minister condoled the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian military, urging the troops not to be deterred by the attack.
He stressed the crucial role of local communities in combating terrorism, urging citizens to provide information that could aid military operations against terrorist groups and keep faith with Nigeria.