Judith DonatusNigerians have called on the military authorities to go after criminals responsible for the killing of five soldiers in Abia State on Thursday last week, not harassing and arresting innocent civilians.
The Nigerian Army had after the ugly incident that occurred at Obikabia Junction in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, released a statement vowing to retaliate over killing saying “accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military would be firece in it’s response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSubsequently, videos trending online showed military officers deployed to Abia raiding the area in apparent search for criminals who killed their colleagues. Some clips showed soldiers gather some people in the area and interrogate them. There were also reports that soldiers have been harassing many residents of the area since Friday.
Some Nigerians criticised the act saying that military officers were not suppose to be in city centres because the country is not at war.
“Soldiers are supposed to on the front line. Why the city? Are we at war?” Another X user, Alani 10Lions one Elephant cried out.
According to a Premium Times report, spokesperson of the 14 Brigade of the Nigeria army in Ohafia, Abia State, Innocent Omale, confirmed the arrest of some residents but said they were later released.
Aba residents complain over the actions of the military in retaliation for the death of their men. Mr Christian Ekocha, who is a resident of the area claimed that there have been military helicopters flying over the area numerous times a day. “There was even a rumour that soliders opened fire on civilians in Ngwa road. Although, I have not confirmed the authenticity of the information. But youths are being harassed and interrogated by these military personnel,” he added.
Nigerians on their X handles urged the military not to harm innocent civilians in a quest for retaliation. “Dropping military men is unacceptable. Go hard on the criminals and not the armless citizens,” Adewale ‘Damilare urged the military.
“Please can we have a common reason, not when evil perpetrators do something the commoners would be the one to bear the brunt. Why soldiers arresting women and innocent young boys, the perpetrators would no longer be around that vicinity they need intelligence to fish out them,” another X user, identified as You and Great Minds wrote.
Netizens also called on the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to intervene so that the military would not take catastrophic actions against citizens.
“Howbeit, this is urging Alex Otti to swoop into action to meet with the Nigerian army chief, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja to call his boys to order. As in their usual characteristics, they are now setting the cart before the horse in Aba, Abia state, just like they did in Okuama community, in Ugheli south LGA of Delta State in March 2024,” Mr Ike God said on his X handle.
READ ALSO: Obi, Credibility Group Call For Investigation Into Killing Of 5 Soldiers In Abia
Recall that in March, 17 military personnel were killed in Delta State, during a peace mission. The community was razed down by some unknown men some days later and the residents alleged it to be the military men in retaliation. Nigerians fear that Aba might experience similar fate.
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