… Says It’s Callous, Despicable
Sad by the killings of its personnel, the Nigerian Army (NA), has described as gruesome, barbaric and most despicable the cold blood murder of two soldiers, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private (Pte) Gloria Matthew, by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The deceased were on transit to Imo state for their traditional wedding.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It said “Apparently, the soldiers had embarked on the trip to fulfill the traditional rites of conjugating their matrimony, as the very well respected and cherished Igbo tradition demands.
“Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre Local Government Area 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 being 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, impenitence and is indisputably, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.”
Noting that the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA, in the statement said it will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.
It added “While we deeply condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.”
The statement also urged members of the public to oblige security agencies actionable information that will lead to the arrest of the criminals.