The Abia State Government has placed a bounty of 25 million naira on any information that will lead to the arrest of the killers of five soldiers yesterday, Thursday, 30/05/24 at Obikabia junctionin the ogbor Hill area of Aba.
In a release endorsed by the Commissioner for information and culture, Prince Okey Kanu, Government announced that security formations in the State have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book.
Government while commiserating with the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed A. Lagbaja, and the Military High Command in the country for the killings and the peaceful repose of the soul of the gallant soldiers, assured that Government is committed to security, safety and peace within its territory at all times.
It described the event of Thursday, May 30, 2024 as serious affront to government by criminal elements who are hell-bent on returning Abia to the dark days of insecurity and fear amongst citizens, especially in Aba that has received unprecedented investments in the last one year.
Abia Government stated its readiness to respond appropriately to protect citizens, investors and friends of Abia across the world, stressing that it would be relentless in bringing the full wrath of the law to bear on anyone or group who constitutes the slightest threat to the peace and security of the land, whatever be their motivation.
Furthermore, the Abia State Government assured that it will, in line with its commitment to the welfare of the security operatives working within its territory, take up the responsibility of supporting the families of the slain soldiers, including payment of regular stipends to their spouses, and the education of their children to university level.
It further pledged that, “Government will appreciate the officers and men of the Nigerian Army in the State for maintaining a high sense of professionalism in their response to the very distressing event. The State will also encourage our military and security personnel to continue to show restraint, whether at the checkpoints, on patrol, or while engaged in other security duties, even as the Government continues to work with all relevant stakeholders, including the security high commands, traditional and community leaders to gather and process all intelligence information which will ultimately lead to the capture of the perpetrators of the heinous crime at Obikabia Junction, and anyone directly or remotely connected to it in any form”.
The Government however encouraged citizens to go about their legitimate duties without fear as necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of residents, and businesses in all parts of Abia.
Government further enjoined Traditional and community leaders in all parts of the State to set up suitable local intelligence gathering mechanisms in their localities and share whatever new information they get with the security agencies regularly, adding that it shall not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on any traditional or community leader found to be harbouring criminal elements in their domains.
