Personnel of the Nigerian Army have raided Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia, burning down at least five houses.
Standard Observers gathered that the soldiers attacked the community on Wednesday following the killing of their colleagues by hoodlums in the area.
Sources said the soldiers attached to the 144 Brigade were killed by the hoodlums between the boundaries of Obibor Obuzor and Umuagalaba Owaza.
The incident forced residents of the affected communities to desert their villages as military personnel lay siege to all the communities around Owaza and Obuzor Asa.
Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State has pleaded for calm from all the parties following the crisis.
Ikpeazu urged them to give peace a chance and allow the state government to find a solution to the matter.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said, “The governor expresses concerns regarding the ongoing reprisal attacks in Owaza by soldiers of the Nigerian Army following the alleged killing of a soldier in the community, and tasks the soldiers to show a high level of patriotism and not allow the situation to degenerate any further, as the state government continues to engage the leadership of the Army on the issue.”
Meanwhile, the local government’s Chairman, Chief Okey Kanu, has also condemned the killing of the soldiers on duty along Obibor-Owaza Pipeline Road, saying the perpetrators must be brought to book.
