Soldiers On Routine Operations, Not On Vengeance Mission In Ohafia, Abia State___N/Army

[jp_post_view]

Nigerian Army has debunked the rumour that soldiers on Vengeance mission attacked Ohafia cummunity in Abia State, destroying lives and properties.

In a statement issued by the Nigerian Army Authority few hours ago indicated that the troops of Nigerian soldiers carried out routine security clearance operations in the area.

Since on Saturday, there have been conflicting reports that men of the Eastern Security Network shot a soldier man and thus the Nigerian soldiers in large number invaded the community, destroying and burning down houses in search of the E.S.N men.

Another group rumoured that group of Nigerian soldiers carried out mass arrest of youths in Ohafia community, leading to youths cutting down big trees and in addition used big stones to block roads to prevent the soldiers from effecting the arrest.

More rumour flew in yesterday with a tag “unplanned war Ongoing In Ohafia” indicating that men of the Eastern Security Network killed between 10 to 17 soldiers during gun battle in the community.

The Nigerian Army this evening said no soldier or any personnel of the Nigerian Army was killed, adding the army was not on vengeance mission in the area.

Excerpts of the Military statement as presented by Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Director, Army Public Relations:

NO SOLDIER WAS KILLED AND TROOPS ARE NOT ON VENGEANCE MISSION IN OHAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ABIA STATE.

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a story making rounds in the social media that troops are on vengeance mission in some communities in Abia State following the death of six soldiers in a clash with E.S.N/I.P.O.B terrorists.

The story further alleged that as a result, residents of Elu, Amangwu and Amaekpu in Ohafia Local Government Area have embarked on mass exodus out of fear.

The N.A wishes to debunk the allegation as baseless fabrication aimed at not only tarnishing the good image of the N.A but to create distrust between the public and security agents in the state.

The true position is that troops carried out routine clearance operations in line with the rules of engagement and respect for fundamental human rights of the citizens aimed restoring socio-economic activities which were hitherto disrupted by criminal activities of I.P.O.B/E.S.N elements who attack security agents and government infrastructures.

Troops of the Nigerian Army working in conjunction with personnel of Nigeria Police and other security agencies leveraging on timely and accurate intelligence provided by patriotic citizens, are working tirelessly to restore normalcy to troubled areas and to rid the state a of criminal elements.

Consequently, we wish to reassure the good people of Abia State of the safety of their lives and property and also urge them to continue to report suspicious movements and activities of strange individuals or groups in their vicinity to the nearest security agency for prompt action.