President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the killing of five soldiers by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, Abia State.
In a statement released on Saturday, the President described the attack as an “unwarranted barbaric and evil act” that should never be tolerated in Nigeria.
“These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country,” President Tinubu asserted.
The President emphasized the vital role of soldiers and police in protecting citizens from aggressors and non-state actors, highlighting the sacrifices made by security personnel.
“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfillment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect,” he said.
President Tinubu vowed that the federal government would take decisive action against those responsible for the attack and those promoting the sit-at-home order.
“On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of the state,” he stated firmly.
He issued a stern warning to those calling for a sit-at-home order, labeling their actions as treasonous. “I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence,” Tinubu declared.
The President further asserted the government’s capability to deal with violent non-state actors, saying, “I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.”
However, Tinubu also called for restraint from security forces, cautioning that their current restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.
“The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness. We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken.”
President Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and urged other peacekeeping personnel not to be discouraged by the Aba incident.
The tragic attack occurred on Thursday at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State, where gunmen reportedly killed five soldiers. The assailants, suspected to be IPOB members, also burned down security patrol vehicles while enforcing a sit-at-home directive to commemorate Biafra Day.
