The Nigerian Army has vowed to punish the killers of two soldiers who visited Imo State to consummate their matrimony in a traditional way.
Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private (Pte) Gloria Matthew, who embarked on the trip to conjugate the traditional rites of their matrimony, were killed while in transit.
Nigerian army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu who confirmed this said Gloria Matthew from Nkwerre LGA of Imo State has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South East Nigeria but that did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.
The statement reads ”The Nigerian Army (NA), on Saturday 30 April, 2022 received information on the gruesome, barbaric and most despicable manner in which members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) murdered in cold blood, two soldiers Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private (Pte) Gloria Matthew, who were on transit to Imo state for their traditional wedding.
Read also: Wedding: Unknown gunmen Behead couple soldier in Imo
”Apparently, the soldiers had embarked on the trip to fulfill the traditional rites of conjugating their matrimony, as the very well respected and cherished Igbo tradition demands.
”Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo state, has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South East Nigeria did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.”
According to it, ”This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have being unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.
”This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their own child, clearly depicts callousness, impenitence and is indisputably, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.
”Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.
”While we deeply condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
”Members of the public are please enjoined to oblige security agencies actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals,” the statement advised.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the beheading of two soldiers in Imo State.
In a statement released this evening by his media aide, Garba Shehu, President Buhari condemned the act, describing it as an ”Alien and barbaric act.”
”On behalf of the government and the entire nation, President Muhammadu Buhari expresses deep condolences to the Nigerian Army and the families of Master Warrant Officer Audu Linus and his partner, Private Gloria Mathew, who were beheaded after being shot by the terrorist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Saturday as confirmed by the Nigerian Army.
”The corpses were inhumanely treated and gleefully posted on social media platforms.
The President joins fellow citizens in expressing deep sense of shock and condemns the barbarism of the perpetrators of this unfortunate incident, and similar acts of violence against law enforcement agents, describing it as alien to all cultures and civilisations,” the statement read.
