Nigerian Army Reacts to Gruesome Murder of Two Soldiers
By: Collins Mbakwe
The Nigerian army has reacted to the killing of two soldiers who have now been identified as Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private(Pte) Gloria Matthew, in Imo state.
Nigerian army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu confirmed that the couple had embarked on the trip to fulfill the traditional rites of conjugating their matrimony, but were killed while in transit.
He further revealed that Gloria Matthew” who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo state has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of southeast Nigeria but that did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.“
Nwachukwu also said that this “dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep-seated hate, desperation, and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have been unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate”.
The statement reads;
The Nigerian Army (NA), on Saturday 30 April 2022 received information on the gruesome, barbaric, and most despicable manner in which members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network(ESN) murdered in cold blood, two soldiers Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private(Pte)Gloria Matthew, who were on transit to Imo State for their traditional wedding.
The soldiers had embarked on the trip to fulfill the traditional rites of conjugating their matrimony, as the very well respected and cherished Igbo tradition demands.
Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo State, has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of southeast Nigeria did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.
This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep-seated hate, desperation, and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have been unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.
This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their child, clearly depicts callousness, and impenitence and is indisputable, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.
Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished. While we deeply condole with the families, relations, and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced an investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
Members of the public are please enjoined to oblige security agencies with actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals.
