The Nigerian Army (NA), has condemned the brutal murder of two soldiers who were on their way to perform “traditional marriage formalities” in Imo State when they were attacked by the gunmen and killed.
The Nigerian Army laid the blame for the action at the doorsteps of the members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network.
Army’s Director on Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, in Abuja, said the manner in which Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private(Pte)Gloria Matthew, were murdered portends the deep-seated hate, desperation, and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have been unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.
Reacting in the statement titled, ‘Gruesome Murder Of Two Soldiers By IPOB/ESN, Callous And Despicable’, the Nigerian Army vowed that the assailants would not go unpunished.
Nigerian Army lamented that the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo state, has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South-East Nigeria did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.
“This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep-seated hate, desperation, and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have been unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.
This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their own child, clearly depicts callousness, and impenitence and is indisputably, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.
Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished. While we deeply condole with the families, relations, and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced an investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
Members of the public are please enjoined to oblige security agencies actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals” the statement partly reads.
