President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the proscribed terrorist organisatioon, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Abia, Abia State on Thursday, when they were reportedly murdered.

The dastardly act happened just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama, a riverine community in Delta State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, which he personally signed, Tinubu tasked security agents to fish out perpetrators of the Aba attack, in addition to those that declared a sit-at-home order on residents of the state.

“These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country.

Reiterating the gallant efforts and sacrifices being paid by security agents in ensuring the protection of lives and properties, Tinubu said, “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 President said.

The President, who noted that security agents do not deserve the “mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society, warned, “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. 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 warned those under the illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken to have a rethink.

The President expressed his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, their colleagues and leadership of the Armed Forces, while urging security agents on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the incident in Aba.