By Blessing Chinagorom
Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed that the federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of the armed forces.
Tinubu in a statement on Saturday while reacting to the slain soldiers who were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State, on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama, Delta State.
According to him, “I have received yet another disheartening news story about the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the proscribed terrorist organisation, IPOB. These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts are condemnable and should never be condoned or tolerated in our country”.
He added that “Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and criminal non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty.
“While some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect. They surely do not deserve mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society. On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state”, the President said.
Tinubu made it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making the communities unsafe.
“The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints when attacked should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken.
“While my condolences go to the families of the five slain soldiers, their colleagues, and the leadership of our armed forces, I urge other men and women on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba”, the President said.