Tinubu Condemns Killing Of Soldiers In Aba, Calls The Attack ‘Barbaric And Evil’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing of soldiers in Alba, calling the attacks barbaric and evil.

The soldiers, who were on peacekeeping duty in Aba located in Abia State, were murdered on April 30. A similar tragic incident took place just two months ago in Okuama, Delta State.

"These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts are condemnable and should never be condoned or tolerated in our country," Tinubu said, as per the statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday.

"Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and criminal non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfillment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect."

Tinubu noted that these soldiers do not deserve to be killed in such "mindless attacks by unruly elements," stressing that the federal government will fight against those who regularly attack the officers and men of the armed forces.

The president emphasized that no one, under any guise, should have the audacity to kill any official of the state, stating that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors that are making the communities unsafe.

He urged security agencies to find out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack, requesting locals to stay at home.

"Their actions are nothing short of treason," he said. "The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints when attacked should not be mistaken for weakness."

"We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken."

Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the five slain soldiers alongside their colleagues, and urged other armed forces on peacekeeping duty to not get discouraged due to the recent tragic incident in Aba.

Two months back, the president gave "full authority" to the Nigerian military to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for the deadly attack on armed forces in Delta state on March 14 that killed 12 soldiers and four army officers.