Igbo-Elders Urge Nigerian Military To Exercise Restraint In Response To Aba Soldier-Killings

Igbo-Elders Urge Nigerian Military To Exercise Restraint In Response To Aba Soldier-Killings

Igbo elders have pleaded with the Nigerian military to avoid brutality in seeking revenge for the killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State, on Thursday by hoodlums.

While condemning the attack on the soldiers, the elders urged the military to refrain from launching a reprisal attack. They called for the use of intelligence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, warning against the collateral damage that a military confrontation could cause.

Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, speaking with Vanguard in Umuahia, urged the military to temper justice with mercy.

“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.”

Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, also condemned the “senseless and barbaric attack” and pleaded with the military authorities to temper justice with mercy for the sake of innocent citizens.

“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, 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.”