The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has commiserated with the Nigeria Army over the unfortunate killing of two soldiers in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.
The incident which occurred in the Milverton area of Aba, on Friday evening was described by Otti as an unprovoked attack, calling for calm among residents as well as commending the officers and men of the force for exercising restraint.
Otti thanked the Commander 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General O.O. Diya, for his prompt intervention and for ensuring that peace continues to prevail in the city of Aba.
The Governor called on the general public to remain calm and advised residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear and to cooperate with relevant security agencies by providing them with useful information as they work to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous attack.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr Chukwunenye Alajemba, has confirmed that the incident left a soldier dead and another wounded and currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
However, unconfirmed information has it that the injured soldier was declared dead at the hospital where he was rushed for medical attention, which prompted his colleagues to angrily react on the morning of Saturday, shutting down Aba Motorpark and shops around Milverton Avenue and Park Road.
The Friday evening attack on the Army outpost is coming months after a military outpost at popular Number One Junction connecting No 1 Ngwa Road, No.1 Port Harcourt Road, No 1 Cemetery Road and No 1 Asa Road was attacked, with no life lost.
Unconfirmed information has it that the gang allegedly made away with the weapons of the deceased soldier while other officers managed to prevent further casualties after a serious exchange of firepower.
Some shop owners at the Asa Road/ Park Road/ Milverton Avenue junction disclosed that they were greeted with rapid gunfire as the gunmen took the soldiers by surprise.
The situation caused panic at the adjoining Milverton Avenue which is the hub of luxury bus transport business in Aba as motorists and passengers scampered to safety.
Business owners around the General post office opposite the military outpost also abandoned their wares as soldiers took over the area.
Some transport operators said they could not load passengers going to Lagos and other parts of the country as they were not allowed to return to their loading bay by the angry soldiers.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Army Public Relations Officer, (APRO),14 Brigade, Ohafia, Lt. Omale Innocent, proved abortive as his mobile number remains hard to reach.
New Telegraph
