From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Two soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force South East Operation Udoka were Wednesday morning attacked and killed by gunmen.
According to a statement signed on behalf of the task force by Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu the soldiers were killed when troops of the Joint Task Force were attacked by gunmen at a checkpoint on the border between Abia and Imo States.
“The troops that came under attack were deployed in a checkpoint along Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
“In the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price,” he said.
He blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for the attack but did not give details.
Explaining further, Unuakhalu said: “The gallant troops were able to repel the attack forcing the irredentist to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds.”
The task force spokesman said the fleeing gunmen abandoned one Sienna and one Lexus SUVs they came with for the attack.
He called on residents of the South-east zone, especially residents of Abia State with relevant, reliable and credible information that could help in apprehending the fleeing attackers.
The statement said that useful information would not only assist the military to arrest those behind “this heinous crime” but also “help to annihilate the criminals in the region”.
The statement added that despite the attack, the army “will continue to carry out its constitutional roles of safeguarding lives and property in line with global best practice as laid down in the rules of engagement guiding its operations”.
It advised members of the public to direct any relevant information to Operation UDO KA “by dialling *193* and press*Option 2’* on your phone”.
Reports from the area indicated that residents are on the run following the gunmen attack on a military checkpoint at Ekenobizi-Umuopara in Umuahia South Local Government Area, as soldiers are conducting raid in the area to fish those who killed their colleagues.