The Abia State government in Nigeria has placed a N25 million bounty on the killers of five soldiers at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba. The attack occurred on May 30, 2024, when unknown gunmen attacked a military checkpoint, killed five soldiers, burned two patrol vans and the checkpoint, and seized their rifles.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Military High Command. “The Abia State Government considers the event of Thursday, May 30, 2024, a serious affront to its resolve by criminal elements who are hell-bent on returning Abia to the dark days of insecurity and fear amongst citizens,” said Kanu.
The government emphasized its commitment to security and assured the public that it would respond firmly to ensure peace and security. “The Government will therefore respond appropriately to reassure citizens, investors, and friends of Abia across the world that it would be relentless in bringing the full wrath of the law to bear on anyone or group who constitutes the slightest threat to the peace and security of the land, whatever be their motivation,” Kanu stated.
To underscore its resolve, the government announced a N25 million reward for anyone providing useful information leading to the arrest of the criminals. “The security formations in the State have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book,” the statement read.
The state government also promised to support the families of the slain soldiers, including paying regular stipends to their spouses and covering the education of their children to university level. “The government appreciates the officers and men of the Nigerian Army in the State for maintaining a high sense of professionalism in their response to the distressing event,” Kanu said.
Traditional rulers were urged to set up local intelligence mechanisms and share information with security agencies regularly. The government warned, “Any attempt to test the will of the government, as happened on Thursday, May 30, 2024, shall be resisted with every resource at the disposal of the State.”
The Abia State government reaffirmed its commitment to making the state hospitable to law-abiding citizens and legitimate businesses while remaining hostile to criminal elements. “Abia shall remain very hospitable and accommodating to all law-abiding citizens and those who engage only in legitimate businesses as defined by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while it shall continue to be a very hostile space for anyone whose actions or inactions are capable of disrupting the peace and security of our communities,” the statement concluded.
