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• Promises to support families of slain soldiers
The Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti has placed N25million bounty on the killers of five solders in Aba on Thursday.
Commissioner for Information and Culture in the state, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known in a statement he issued on Friday.
Said he: “The state government noted with great regret the ugly incident that occurred on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at around 7:45am at Obikabia Junction, in the Ogbor Hill area, Obingwa LGA, near Aba, where suspected criminal elements, operating with several SUVs opened fire on men of the Nigerian Army on security duty, leading to the killing of five soldiers.”
“As a government committed to security, safety and peace within its territory at all times, the Abia State Government considers the event of Thursday, May 30, 2024, a serious affront to its resolve by criminal elements, who are hell-bent on returning Abia to the dark days of insecurity and fear amongst citizens, especially in Aba, the economic heartbeat of the State.
“This is more regrettable in the light of the fact that unprecedented investments have been made in the last one year to restore the city’s public infrastructure and reposition it as an attractive investment destination for local and foreign businesses.
“The government will therefore respond appropriately to reassure citizens, investors and friends of Abia across the world 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.
“To underscore its resolve, the state government is offering a N25 million reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs.
“The 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.”
The government also commiserated “with the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Military High Command in the country for the unfortunate incident and pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of the gallant soldiers, who died in active duty.
“Furthermore, the Abia State Government 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 is the least the state can do for the soldiers who died in brave service to their fatherland.”
