Troops Urged to Exercise Restraint in Abia Oil Communities

Strategic Insights -

Troops of the Nigerian Army from the 144 Battalion Asa have been urged to exercise restraint in their reprisal attacks on Abia oil communities of Owaza and Obuzor in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State. Former state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka made the call for restraint in a statement he issued, expressing sadness over the killing of soldiers and the attendant havoc wreaked on the communities by angry soldiers. The situation unfolded after two soldiers were killed by hoodlums, believed to be oil bunkerers near an oil pipeline between Owaza and Obuzor last Monday, prompting troops to lay siege on the two communities, allegedly shooting people and burning houses indiscriminately.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Emma Nwaka called on troops to exercise restraint in their reprisal attacks on Abia oil communities, citing concerns over the killing of innocent people.
  • Nwaka described the killing of two soldiers as a 'dastardly, horrible, and criminal assault on the integrity of law enforcement in our beloved state'.
  • He condemned the revenge attack by soldiers, which resulted in the burning of houses and shops in Owaza, and stressed that there is no evidence that the community members were involved in the attack.
  • Senator Nwaka acknowledged that the Nigerian Army has the right to protect its soldiers when illegally attacked, but advised the Army to seek community-based and constitutional means of dealing with insecurity.
  • Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu held a meeting with leaders and stakeholders of Ukwa West Local Government to douse the tension in the area and seek peaceful resolution of the faceoff.
  • Senator Nwaka commended Ikpeazu for strongly condemning the assault on law and order in the state.
  • He called on Abia political and community leaders to show commitment in ensuring peaceful environment and policy support to create jobs and weaken the inclination to crimes.

Statistics:

  • Two soldiers were killed by hoodlums near an oil pipeline between Owaza and Obuzor.
  • The revenge attack by soldiers resulted in the burning of houses and shops in Owaza.
  • The Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu held a meeting with leaders and stakeholders of Ukwa West Local Government to douse the tension in the area.

Sources:

  • A statement from former state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka
  • A report by the Nigerian Army on the reprisal attacks on Abia oil communities
  • A statement from Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu on the condemnation of the assault on law and order in the state.