Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
As tension continues to build up in Abia State over a possible military reprisal operation following the killing of five soldiers in Aba by hoodlums on Thursday, Abia elders have appealed to the military authorities to soft pedal.
Some of the elder who spoke include Abia former Governor, and the immediate-past Senator representing Abia Central, Senator Theodore Orji; former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and former National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.
While condemning the barbaric attack, the elders expressed concern over the catastrophic effect of any military operation in Aba on innocent residents.
In his reaction, former Senate President, Senator Wabara, condemned the “senseless and babaric attack,” and pleaded with the military to temper justice with mercy for the sake of innocent citizens “who are usually the victims of any reprisal attack.”
He said: “This is very unfortunate and condemnable. My heart goes to the Nigerian Army and the families of the deceased soldiers. I urge them to bear the loss with maturity and forgiveness.
“It’s very regrettable to lose a soul how much more a soldier with all the heavy investments in their training. But let them temper justice with mercy because it is usually the innocent people that bear the brunt of any reprisal attack.”
Wabara urged the military to use intelligence and fish out the culprits instead of resorting to military campaign.
“If only they can tarry a bit and identify the culprits and deal directly with them. Any random operation will affect innocent citizens.
“Abians are not happy with this senseless attack on our soldiers carrying out their constitutional duty. But we as elders cannot even identify the hoodlums. That’s why a lot of intelligence is required to be able to know them and specifically deal with them.”
Reacting, ex-Governor Theodore Orji, who condemned the attack on innocent soldiers, appealed to the military not to go the way of reprisal.
The former governor rather called on the military to track the perpetrators using intelligence.
“It’s very unfortunate. It’s very wrong for people to turn around and attack those watching over them. Soldiers are there for all Nigerians and should not be attacked. These soldiers did nothing to warrant this attack. It’s very annoying.
“But I sincerely appeal to the military not to go on full scale revenge because that will be catastrophic. Let them mellow down and temper justice with mercy.
“Let them concentrate on using intelligence to fish out the perpetrators and deal with them. Let them not escalate the whole thing because there is tension already in the state,” Orji appealed.
Mazi Ohuabunwa, also condemned the killing of soldiers but appealed to the military to be considerate in its response.
According to him, it is not likely that those who carried out the operation are still within the vicinity, hence any military operation around the area could be an attack on innocent citizens.
He condoled with the Nigeria Army and families of the deceased soldiers over the attack but called for maturity in their response.
“We condemn this attack and mourn with the Nigeria Army. These are bad times for the country, insecurity everywhere and it’s not acceptable.
“We appeal to the military to use rules of engagement and not punish the innocent with the guilty.
“Killing of soldiers by non-state actors is reprehensible and unacceptable behaviour. Nobody supports that.
“However, the military should temper justice with mercy and show professionalism in its response. It will be unfair for a professional military to visit innocent citizens for the work done by men who did the job and fled. Those who did that evil job are likely not to be in that vicinity anymore.
“They should go after them using intelligence and surveillance to track them.
“I have seen some videos where people are being loaded into vans and trucks, and I don’t understand what that means.
“It’s unfortunate that our service men put their lives on the line for the country. They don’t deserve these senseless attacks. But we cannot allow innocent men to be traumatised or incarcerated because of the works of miscreants who did this and ran away. I learnt they drove in in Prado SUV. Is Prado SUV used by ordinary citizens?”
Meanwhile, the Army has reportedly taken over the roads leading to Aba, subjecting commuters to alight from their vehicles and trek for a kilometer with their hands raised.
Solders were also said to have engaged on heavy patrol of many roads inside the commercial city.
Military helicopters were sighted by residents hovering over the Enyimba City for surveillance.
The situation has forced many markets to shut down while many schools closed halfway as parents rushed to pick their children and wards.
There are palpable fear around the city of a possible military operation.
Unconfirmed reports say security operatives are ransacking homes and taking away young men.
The State Government had earlier placed N25 million bounty on the killers of the soldiers.
