Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the killing of soldiers and civilians in Aba, Abia State on Thursday.
About 15 gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked soldiers at about 8 a.m. at a military checkpoint in Obikabia Junction.
The attack led to the death of five soldiers while a military patrol truck was set on fire.
The sit-at-home order which disrupted business activities in the south-east region was to mark the annual Biafra Day.
In his post on X on Friday, Atiku said the Aba incident stands condemned, commiserating with the family and friends of those who lost their lives.
“The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.
“The veil of the so-called Unknown GunMen hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators,” he wrote.
Calling for the release of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Atiku added, “To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties.”
