Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has vowed to identify and bring to justice anyone directly or indirectly involved in the killing of five soldiers at Obikabia Junction last Thursday.
The governor made this pledge during a condolence visit to the headquarters of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Asa, Ukwa West LGA, where he offered his sympathies to the widows of the slain soldiers.
He said: “Let me start by sending out words of sympathy to the Nigerian Army, the Brigade Commander himself and most importantly the families of the five fallen heroes.
“It’s as if General Diya was with me at the last place that we went to where I had promised everybody that was listening to me that we will smoke out whoever is remotely connected to this killing, whoever they are, wherever they are, wherever they run to.”
He condemned the dastardly and irresponsible act committed by criminals who want to destabilize the state and described it as very sad.
“We as a government will continue to condemn this dastardly act, a very irresponsible act committed by criminals who do not want any good for society.
“It’s very sad but then, it has happened and because it has happened, we will need to move on but we cannot move on without identifying those who are responsible”
He pledged to work closely with all security agencies in the state to ensure that no stone is left unturned to fish out the preparators and bring them to book.
“We are going to work like we have always done with security agencies particularly the intelligence unit of the security agencies to ensure that we leave no stone unturned” Gov Otti reassured.
Governor Otti disclosed that his government has placed 25 million Naira bounty on anyone with useful information that would lead to the apprehension of the criminals.
The state chief executive announced automatic scholarship for the deceased children up to university level and will also ensure that the scholarship is legalized by the state House of Assembly to ensure that successive governments continue in the trajectory.
Earlier, the Brigade commander 14 Brigade Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola Diya said they were not relenting in their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous act, disclosing that they have been gathering intelligence to bring who ever that is directly or remotely connected to the killing to book.
He disclosed that two vehicles belonging to the Army were burnt, weapons carted away while 5 personnel lost their lives during the unfortunate attack.
The Speaker Abia House of Assembly Rt Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, senator Darlington Nwokocha, the Chief of staff to the Governor Pastor Caleb Ajagba among other government functionaries accompanied the Governor to the visit.