A non-partisan advocacy and Civil Society organization AYUDANTES Empowerment Initiative has condemned rising spates of unprovoked attacks on personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The group while calling for an end to the attacks, said it is capable demoralizing morale of troops who sacrifice for defence of the country daily.
Executive Director of the group, Amechi Chuks Oyema, who stated this Thursday while addressing a press conference in Abuja, condoled Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and families of the personnel who have paid the supreme price in defending our nation.
Blueprint reports that commanding officer, two majors, a captain, and 13 others, were ambushed and murdered on 14 March, while responding to the crisis between Okoloba and Okuama communities in Delta state.
On May 18 this year, there was a mob attack on personnel of the Armed forces of Nigeria h in Banex Plaza.
Just last week, terrorists of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Abia State killed five personnel at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis, where troops of Operation Udoka were deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens.
Also, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, reports had it that suspected phone snatchers murdered a Nigerian soldier, identified as Lt. IM Abubakar in the Unguwan Sarki area of Kaduna state.
Our troops, the Army, the Navy and Air Force under the supervision of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa have ably dealt with security threats across the country.
Oyema who commended the military for not carrying out reprisals, urged the leadership of the military to ensure the pepetrators are brought to book.
“We commend the military for showing restrain in the face of blatant provocations by not embarking on reprisal in the senseless Killings of its personnel in Okuama and Aba and attack on soldiers at Bannex Plaza in Abuja.
“We however, call on the military authority to go to whatever length possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that those who committed these heinous crimes do not go unpunished.
“Nigerians must learn to respect and honor men and women in uniform especially military personnel.
“This because there is no higher honour than serving in the military. These are men and women that sacrifice their lives in defence of our territorial integrity. An attack on them is an attack on Nigeria!!,” he said.
