Information reaching our news desk indicate that vehicles conveying traders and other travellers to Aba are making u-turn at the boundary between Abia and Rivers states.
A trader who pleaded to remain anonymous told our reporter that their driver informed them that the reason for returning to Rivers state was because soldiers have blocked Aba road, following the killing of five soldiers at a checkpoint at Aba in Abia State on Thursday.
”On getting to the boundary between Abia and Rivers, this morning, our driver said that he can no longer continue with the journey because soldiers have mounted road blocks over the killing of their collegues and that he fears retaliation from them. At that point, he made a u-turn back to Port Harcourt”, she said.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command has promised to bring overwhelming military pressure on IPOB.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Buba said the military would be fierce in its response to the dastard act and would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat.
He said the troops of Operation UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia were attacked and sadly killed by terrorist of IPOB/ESN.
According to him, the troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massed attacked by the terrorist.
He said the terrorist who were in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.
“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces.
“The armed forces mourns these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss.
“Meanwhile, investigation are ongoing concerning the attack.
“Overall, it must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorist is the people and this situation is no exemption.
“Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible and the IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops.
“The situation leave more to be desired.
“Accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops.
“The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” he said.
