Gov Otti Vows To Smoke Out Gunmen Who Killed Soldiers, Commends Army For Reducing Tension

Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has assured that the state government will work with security agencies to apprehend the criminals who ambushed an army post in Obikabia, Obingwa Local Government Area, on Thursday, May 30, killing five soldiers.

Governor Otti thanked the Nigerian Army’s high command for reducing the tension that had enveloped the State following the initial panic and apprehension that seized residents as a result of the barbaric killings by refusing to allow aggrieved soldiers to take part in reprisal.

According to Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Otti, who was at the headquarters of the 144 Infantry Battalion of the Nigeria Army in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area, on Saturday to pay condolences to the wives of the slain soldiers, commiserated with the army and announced a package to assist the families of the fallen soldiers.

“Let me begin by expressing my condolences to the Nigeria Army, the Brigade Commander (Brigadier General O. O. Diya), and, most importantly, the families of the five fallen heroes.”

“We, as a government, will continue to condemn this heinous act, committed by criminals who have no regard for society.

“It is very sad, but it has happened, and because it has happened, we must move on, but we cannot do so without identifying those who are responsible.

“It is as if General Diya was with me at the last place we went, where I promised to smoke out anyone remotely connected to this killing, whoever they are, wherever they are, and wherever they flee to.

“We will continue to work closely with security agencies, particularly the intelligence unit, to ensure that no stone is left unturned.

“So, I would like to reassure the military high command and military leadership in Abia that we are working together to bring those people to justice.

“I came here (144 Battalion) today to express my sympathy for you; to let you know that I feel your pain and understand what you are going through right now.

“On behalf of Abia State’s government and people, I want you to know that you have our support. We are aware that the military high command will also look after you, but because your husband died here in Abia, we have adopted you as Abia’s daughters and your children as Abia’s children.

“We have also put in place a plan to ensure that your children receive an automatic scholarship until they complete university. From today until they graduate, they are the responsibility of the Abia State Government, and we intend to make it a law so that even if I leave, no one will be able to stop it,” Governor Otti stated.

He thanked General Diya for helping to de-escalate the tension that had risen in and around Obikabia following the killings, particularly in Aba, which had been placed under lockdown, by allowing innocent residents to move freely and not launching a retaliation, as an army statement had claimed.

“I heard the army talk about vengeance, but I think the correct expression should have been that we will smoke out the criminals and deal with them.

“It is impossible for the good Abia people I lead to get involved in this. We suspect, even though I do not have proof, that they came from outside to destabilise the good things going on in Abia, and we will not let them get away with it.

“I am glad you listened to my request that we de-escalate the tension, and I sincerely thank you. Aba was under lockdown, but as soon as we met and spoke, you reduced and deaccelerated the tension. “I sincerely want to thank you,” the Governor said.

Earlier, Brigade Commander Brig-General Diya stated that the army would not give up in their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous act, revealing that they have been gathering intelligence to bring to justice anyone who is directly or indirectly connected to the killing.

He recalled that two army operational vehicles were burned, weapons were carted away, and five personnel died as a result of the unfortunate attack.

Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; Senator Darlington Nwokocha; Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Chief of Staff to the Governor; and other government officials accompanied the Governor on the visit.