The Lead Counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has condemned the killing of soldiers at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State.

Ejiofor described the incident as a “desecration of Igbo land on a holy day”.

In a press statement on Saturday, Ejiofor called for a thorough investigation into the “heinous crime”, urging security agents to exercise the greatest restraint and operate within the acceptable rules of professional engagement, to avoid punishing the innocent for an offence they know nothing about.

He explained that those who perpetrated the “heinous crime” were enemies of Biafra and Biafrans, adding that it would be unreasonable to attribute the commission of the dastardly act to the Indigenous People of Biafra.

He said, “I roundly condemn in unmistaken terms, the unprovoked attack on military personnel at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State on the 30^th day of May 2024. While we pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in this dastardly act, carefully perpetuated by the real enemies of Biafra and Biafrans, I urge for all hands to be on deck to ensure that those responsible for this heinous attack are fished out.

“Unfortunately, the victims of the envisaged reprisal attacks and/or arrests from the soldiers would be innocent citizens who know absolutely nothing about the incident. While we encourage a thorough investigation of this heinous crime, we shall at the same time, urge the Soldiers and other security agents to exercise the greatest restraint and operate within the acceptable rules of professional engagement, to avoid punishing the innocent for an offence they know nothing about.

“Furthermore, it is unreasonable to attribute the commission of this dastardly act to the Indigenous People of Biafra, whom I am its Lead Counsel, even before any investigation has been conducted.”

He noted that despite their quest for a Sovereign State of Biafra, IPOB has maintained peace in the state.

“IPOB has maintained its peaceful stance in their self-determination quest for the Sovereign State of Biafra and has at all times, distanced itself from the activities of the criminals claiming to be freedom fighters, who have publicly taken responsibility for this heinous crime.

“Whatever evil motive behind the actions of the evil souls that perpetuated this evil act, has no justification under any circumstance and stands totally condemned. The long arms of the law must surely catch up with those responsible for this heinous crime!”

On Thursday, five soldiers were killed at an Army checkpoint in the Aba area of the state.

The military said the slain soldiers, deployed to enforce peace in the state, met their death when some terrorists, who came in three Prado Toyota SUVs, attacked them at the checkpoint.

The military authorities In a statement on Friday, vowed that the killers of the slain soldiers would be apprehended and punished. (Saturday PUNCH: Text, Excluding Headline)

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