Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, has granted educational scholarships to the children of the five soldiers who lost their lives in an assault at a checkpoint situated in Obikabia, Ogbor Hill, Aba. The Governor also pledged to apprehend those implicated in the deaths of the five soldiers. Armed assailants targeted the military checkpoint at the intersection, resulting in the deaths of five soldiers and the incineration of two patrol vehicles. Otti made this declaration during a condolence visit to the headquarters of the 144 Battalion, Asa, in Ukwa West council, to express sympathy to the widows of the deceased military personnel.
He said; “Let me start by sending out words of sympathy to the Nigerian Army, the Brigade Commander himself and most importantly the families of the five fallen heroes.
“It’s as if General Diya was with me at the last place that we went to where I had promised everybody that was listening to me that we will smoke out whoever is remotely connected to this killing, whoever they are, wherever they are, wherever they run to.” He criticized the soldiers’ killings by those aiming to disrupt the state’s stability.
He said; “We as a government will continue to condemn this dastardly act, a very irresponsible act committed by criminals who do not want any good for society. “It’s very sad but then, it has happened and because it has happened, we will need to move on but we cannot move on without identifying those who are responsible.”
He promised to collaborate closely with all state security agencies to ensure thorough efforts in apprehending the culprits.
“We will cooperate extensively with security agencies, especially their intelligence units, leaving no stone unturned.”
Otti restated that his administration has set a bounty of N25 million for anyone providing valuable information leading to the capture of the escaping criminals.
To aid the families of the deceased soldiers, the Governor declared automatic university-level scholarships for the children of the fallen soldiers and assured that he would ensure the scholarship’s legalization by the state House of Assembly.
