Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, on Friday called for a political solution to address the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This call follows the killing of soldiers in Aba, Abia State, during Thursday’s sit-at-home order declared by IPOB across the Southeast.
Condemning the violence, the former Vice-President emphasized that a political approach to Kanu’s detention, who is currently facing treason charges, could help ease tensions in the region. "The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace," Atiku stated.
Atiku also expressed concern about the impact of the sit-at-home order on students taking their WAEC examinations. He urged for measures to distinguish criminal elements from legitimate agitators. "The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding undercover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators," he added.
Highlighting the urgency for a political resolution, Atiku suggested that addressing Kanu's situation politically could help alleviate the pressure in the Southeast. "To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will diffuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties," he wrote on X on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command has vowed to respond fiercely to the killing of the five soldiers. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement on Friday, said that the military would exert overwhelming pressure on IPOB to ensure their total defeat. He confirmed that troops of Operation UDO KA, deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area near Aba, were attacked and killed by terrorists from IPOB/ESN.
"The military will be fierce in its response to the dastard act and will bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat," Maj.-Gen. Buba stated.
