Nigerian Defence Headquarters Assures Abia Residents of Safety After Soldiers’ Deaths, Vows to Pursue Killers

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has sought to reassure residents of Ekenobizi, in the Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, following the tragic killing of three soldiers at a military checkpoint by gunmen. The military emphasized that there is no cause for alarm among the civilian population, as the armed forces will not target innocent civilians.

In a statement on Thursday, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, addressed growing concerns about potential reprisals. He stressed that the military would adhere to its professional code of conduct and would not retaliate indiscriminately against civilians.

“To those who fear that our troops will start killing everyone, I want to clarify that this is not true,” General Buba asserted. He confirmed that the military’s primary focus is on tracking down the perpetrators of the attack, who are believed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He added, “Our troops were attacked on November 13, resulting in the loss of three soldiers in the Southeast. For those concerned that the military will harm innocent people, I assure you, that will not happen. We are a professional force with clear rules of engagement.”

The Defence Headquarters promised to bring those responsible for the attack to justice and prevent further violence in the region, while assuring the community that they would not be harmed.

Earlier in November, it was reported that gunmen had attacked a military checkpoint in the Ekenobizi area, near the boundary between Abia and Imo States. The attack, which occurred on November 13, saw the armed assailants in black clothing firing on the checkpoint. A video of the incident showed one of the attackers threatening the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, vowing to dismantle the checkpoint and warning the governor not to approach the area.

The Defence Headquarters has reiterated its commitment to the security of the region, focusing on apprehending the attackers and preventing any further violence.