Youths have abandoned the Ekenobizi community in Umopara, Umuahia South LGA, Abia State, following an unknown gunman’s attack on a Nigerian Army roadblock on Wednesday.
It has been revealed that there is concern that the military would launch a retaliation strike on the community.
The incident cost the lives of some soldiers and was condemned by Governor Alex Otti, who also stated that his administration will work with security agencies to apprehend those guilty.
However, many of the community’s adolescents who fled since Wednesday have yet to return, fearing retaliation from the military.
Also, economic activity such as trading and farming are at their lowest point.
Speaking on the topic, Lucky Igbokwe, a former governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, condemned the execution of the Nigerian soldiers, calling it barbaric, horrible, and wicked.
He urged military authorities to pursue those responsible for the attack while sparing the innocent members of Ekenobizi from reprisal.
According to Igbokwe, high-level intelligence collection and globally established standards should be employed to apprehend the assailants, rather than an invasion of the area.
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Enyinnaya Duke-Ako Atuloma, President of the Enyioma Foundation, also spoke out against the execution of the troops, calling it foolish and horrible.
He did, however, appeal to military officials to be professional in their investigation for the true perpetrators and pleaded that the community not be attacked in retaliation.
