Alex Otti, the executive governor of Abia State, says no stone would be left unturned in the search for those involved in the killing of soldiers in the state.

Recall that five soldiers were killed on May 30 by gunmen who were reportedly enforcing the sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The soldiers were ambushed at an army post in Obikabia, Obingwa LGA of the state.

In a statement on Sunday, Kazie Uko, chief press secretary to the governor, said Otti visited the wives of the slain soldiers on Saturday at the headquarters of the 144 Infantry Battalion of the Nigeria Army in Asa, Ukwa West LGA of Abia.

“We, as a government, will continue to condemn this dastardly act, a very irresponsible act committed by criminals, who do not want any good for society,” the governor said.

“It’s very sad, but then, it has happened and because it has happened, we will need to move on, but we cannot move on without identifying those who are responsible.

“It’s as if General Diya was with me at the last place that we went to, where I had promised that we will smoke out whoever is remotely connected to this killing, whoever they are, wherever they are, wherever they run to.

“We are going to work like we have always done, closely with security agencies, particularly the intelligence unit of the security agencies, to ensure that we leave no stone unturned.

“So, I want to reassure the military high command and the leadership of the military in Abia that we are working together to ensure that we bring those people to book.

“The reason I came here (144 Battalion) today is to sympathise with you; to let you know that I feel your pain and I can understand what you’re going through at this time.

“On behalf of the government and people of Abia state, I want to assure you that we are behind you. We know that the military high command will also look after you, but because your husbands died here in Abia, we have adopted you as daughters of Abia and your children as children of Abia.”

The governor also awarded scholarships to children of the deceased up to the completion of their tertiary education.

He thanked Diya for helping to de-escalate the tension in the state and not embarking on a reprisal.

Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says the killing of soldiers in Abia by gunmen is a treasonable offence that must be punished.

Tinubu, in a statement on Saturday, directed the security agencies to fish out the killers of the soldiers and those asking residents to sit at home.

The president described the killings as “unwarranted barbaric and evil acts”.

At least five soldiers were said to have been killed on Thursday by gunmen who were reportedly enforcing the sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.

The gunmen opened fire on a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction in Aba, killing the soldiers and setting their patrol vehicles ablaze.

The soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba.

“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect,” the statement reads.

“They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.”

Tinubu assured that justice will be served, warning perpetrators not to be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of state agents are taken.

“The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces,” the president said.

“On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.

“I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.

“I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence.

“The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness.”

Tinubu sympathised with the families of the slain soldiers and the entire armed forces.

The president urged officers on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba.

In March, some personnel of the Nigerian army — comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers — were killed by youths while on a peace mission at Okuoma community in Delta state.

Tinubu vowed that those who were responsible for the killing of the personnel would not go unpunished.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it will disconnect 22 federal government establishments, Kogi and Niger States over unpaid electricity bills.

The company stressed the importance of timely bill payments for maintaining and improving its infrastructure, which is essential for delivering reliable electricity services to the community.

The AEDC’s statement reads: “This is to inform the general public that AEDC will disconnect all customers with outstanding electricity bills on June 3, 2024. Timely payment of electricity bills is crucial for the continued operation and enhancement of AEDC’s infrastructure, ensuring we can deliver efficient and reliable service to our community. We therefore urge all customers with debts to pay all outstanding bills before the deadline to avoid service interruption.”

The organisations facing disconnection on Monday include: Nigeria Army; Nigeria Air Force; Defence Headquarters; Federal Capital Development Authority; Kogi State Government; Niger State Government; Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and Nigerian Army Barracks.

Others are: Power House; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) House I; Head of Service; Federal Ministry of Education; Federal Ministry of Women Affairs; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Federal Ministry of Interior; Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Also pencilled down for the Monday disconnection are: National Stadium; Goodluck Jonathan Athletics Hall; Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Ministry of Education; Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (Budget); Federal Ministry of Works; Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Abuja and all other customers owing AEDC

On Friday, the AEDC reiterated its call for all customers with outstanding debts to settle their bills before the deadline on Monday to avoid disconnection.