Four soldiers have been reportedly killed at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia state by gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in commemoration of 37 years of the Civil War.
It was gathered that some masked gunmen numbering about 15, some of who were in military fatigue, attacked soldiers stationed at their roadblock at Obikabia junction in Ogbor Hill, in Aba and subsequently set the military utility Hilux van ablaze after a surprise attack, killing the soldiers.
Eyewitnesses said the military men were outnumbered by the gunmen who launched the surprise attack.
One of the soldiers, still clutching his riffle, escaped alive, according to a viral video of the incident in circulation, however, it could not be ascertained if he was hurt or not.
“I don’t know how many of the Army men that died, but I have seen two bodies on the floor,” the witness who identified himself as Obinna, said.
“The gunmen came in an SUV jeep and a Sienna bus and attacked the soldiers at the junction.
“The gunmen were all masked and they outnumbered the military men, killing about two of them.
“As I speak to you now, gunshots rents the air and we have all gone inside the house, peeping through the windows. The patrol vans of the soldiers have also been set ablaze by the hoodlums,” the source added.
Video clips of the horror scene circulating on social media showed several masked gunmen who arrived in a Sienna bus and a black SUV attacking two military trucks and shooting sporadically at the soldiers.
“Jesus Christ! The soldiers have been shot dead. They want to set their truck ablaze,” an unidentified voice on the recorded clip was heard saying.
The gunmen set ablaze the two utility van of the soldiers, according to the video voice, who also said that at least four soldiers were killed in the attack.
Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia State Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka on the development was unsuccessful at press time, however the South-East Governors Forum had condemned the attack and appealed for calm.
