Igbo elders have appealed to the Nigerian military to exercise restraint and avoid a brutal response to the recent killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State by unidentified gunmen.
The elders stressed the importance of intelligence-led efforts to apprehend the perpetrators rather than resorting to widespread military action, which could result in significant collateral damage.
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Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, speaking to reporters in Umuahia, condemned the attack on the soldiers but urged the military to avoid a retaliatory assault.
“It’s very unfortunate and wrong for people to attack those protecting them. These soldiers did nothing to deserve this. While we are all outraged, a full-scale revenge operation would be catastrophic. Instead, the military should use intelligence to identify and deal with the culprits,” Orji said.
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Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, echoed Orji’s sentiments, condemning the “senseless and barbaric attack” while pleading for the military to temper justice with mercy to protect innocent citizens.
“This attack is regrettable. My heart goes out to the Nigerian Army and the families of the deceased. However, it’s usually the innocent who suffer in reprisal attacks. The military should focus on intelligence to find and punish the attackers,” Wabara stated.
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit, also condemned the killings but called for a measured military response.
“We mourn with the Nigerian Army. These are trying times with insecurity everywhere. The military should apply the rules of engagement and not punish the innocent. The attackers are unlikely to be in the vicinity anymore. Targeted intelligence and surveillance are necessary to track them down,” Ohuabunwa advised.
Archbishop Raphael Opoko, Methodist Bishop of Umuahia Ecclesiastical Diocese, appealed to the military to consider the welfare of innocent citizens.
“The killing of the soldiers is condemnable. Bloodshed is foreign to Igbo society. We urge the military to be merciful and collaborate with the state government to apprehend the culprits without endangering innocent lives,” Opoko appealed.
The elders collectively urged the military to prioritize intelligence operations and work closely with local authorities to ensure that justice is served without exacerbating tensions or causing further harm to the community.
