Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced that credible information is emerging regarding the perpetrators of the murder of five soldiers in Aba on May 30.
During a visit to the 144 Battalion in Osisioma, Abayi, near Aba, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to apprehending those responsible for the heinous crime.
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Expressing sympathy and support for the soldiers, Governor Otti emphasized that the state government will ensure the culprits are brought to justice.
He urged the Army to avoid undue punishment of innocent suspects detained after the incident.
“We have started getting very credible information. This intelligence gathering will continue, but I do not want it to dampen your morale. We have all been working together to secure this state in the last one year that I have been the governor, and I want to encourage you to continue your work, don’t get distracted,” Otti said.
He pointed to “enemies of progress” as potential culprits and stressed the importance of not letting them derail the state’s development.
Governor Otti announced a scholarship program for the children of the fallen soldiers, assuring that the state will support their education through university.
He also promised ongoing assistance for the widows of the deceased soldiers.
“I have in the last few days also visited the widows of the five gallant officers that were brutally murdered. As a state, we have committed to absorbing them as part of this state. All their children are now on scholarship and they will remain on scholarship until they graduate from the university. We will also keep supporting the widows to ensure that they do not lack anything,” Otti declared.
The governor reiterated his appeal to the Army to conduct their investigation with care, acknowledging that some of those arrested might be innocent.
He emphasized the need to respect the rights of civilians during the investigation process.
“I’m also aware that some people have been picked up before now, but when I spoke with the GOC this morning, he told me that virtually everyone that was picked up has been released except for about nine or ten people who are still being investigated,” Otti noted.
He urged for thorough investigations that respect the rights of innocent citizens, cautioning against punishing those not involved in the crime.
Governor Otti praised the efforts of the troops in reducing criminal activities in the state over the past year, assuring them of continued support from the state government.
He announced a N25 million bounty for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the soldiers’ murder.
“In the last one year, criminal activities have gone down drastically, and it is attributable to you. Continue to be alert and don’t let your spirits go down. At the end of the day, we will get the criminals,”
