By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Ambush attack: Gunmen kill soldiers in Abia.
Tragedy struck in Aba, Abia State, as an unknown number of Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush by gunmen during Biafra Heroes Day, declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the South-East.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Obikabia junction in Ogbor Hill, according to video reports posted on X by multiple sources. The soldiers were ambushed in a deadly attack.
“According to video reports posted on social media by a resident, the soldiers were ambushed, resulting in a deadly attack on a day the South-East is mourning the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Biafra War of 1967-1970,” a report by Politics Nigeria stated.
In the now-viral video, some men are seen setting a military vehicle on fire, and gunshots are heard. The streets are deserted as residents observe the sit-at-home order.
The identities of the assailants remain unknown, and the Nigerian Army has not released an official statement regarding the incident, as details are still emerging.
Earlier, the separatist group IPOB declared a May 30 sit-at-home across the five Southeast states, warning that there would be no business activities or movements to honor Igbo people killed during the civil war of 1967-1970.
In response, the Enugu State government rejected the sit-at-home order called by IPOB, stating it had put security agencies on high alert to prevent any disruption of law and order.
Last week, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful advised the West African Examination Council to reschedule WASSCE papers slated for May 30. The group also advised Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State to shift its convocation planned for the same date.
Our correspondent, who visited major markets and schools across Anambra State on Wednesday, observed heavy security presence and residents making last-minute purchases to avoid being stranded.
Meanwhile, posting the same video on his X page, the factional leader of the proscribed IPOB, Simon Ekpa, wrote, “The Resistance fighters are in high spirits. Decimating the terrorist’s state.”
Soldiers, Attack.
Ambush attack: Gunmen kill soldiers in Abia