By Milcah Tanimu

In Aba, Abia State, soldiers repelled an attempted assault by two unidentified gunmen targeting an army unit on Monday, resulting in the deaths of the attackers. The confrontation, which lasted over 30 minutes, led to tragic collateral damage, with some passersby being inadvertently struck by stray bullets.

Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, provided details about the incident during a press briefing in Umuahia. Ekeoma explained that the assailants aimed to seize weapons from the army unit for use in further attacks across the city. Fortunately, their plan was thwarted by the soldiers, who managed to neutralize the two gunmen.

While Ekeoma praised the soldiers for their bravery, he expressed regret over the unintended harm caused to innocent bystanders. “The soldiers acted with commendable bravery, but it’s unfortunate that some passersby were hit by stray bullets,” Ekeoma remarked.

He reassured the public that both the government and security forces are committed to maintaining law and order in the state. “The security situation is being actively managed, with many criminals being apprehended. The government is taking significant measures to protect citizens and address security challenges,” Ekeoma added. He also mentioned ongoing, undisclosed operations aimed at identifying and prosecuting those involved in criminal activities.

The incident has raised security concerns among residents of Aba, who are calling for enhanced measures to safeguard civilians from the repercussions of clashes between security forces and criminals.