Two soldiers attached to the 14 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army have reportedly died following an attack by unidentified gunmen on an army outpost at Park Road by Milverton in Aba, Abia State. This tragic incident occurred on Friday night around 8 PM, marking a violent escalation in the area.
According to a report by The Nation, Sources indicate that the soldiers at the outpost were caught off guard by the attackers, who might have monitored their activities to strike at a vulnerable moment. The assault is reminiscent of a similar incident months prior, when another military outpost at Ngwa Road by No.1 Port Harcourt Road was attacked. In that instance, the soldiers repelled the attackers without any loss of life, inflicting severe gunshot injuries on the assailants.
Reports suggest that one of the soldiers died on the spot during the latest attack, while the other succumbed to injuries at a hospital where he was taken for emergency treatment. The attackers' exact motives remain unclear, though it is suspected they aimed to dislodge the soldiers and seize their weapons.
The attack has intensified security measures in the area, known for its high crime rate. Prior to the incident, the presence of soldiers had notably curbed criminal activities, including frequent robberies targeting Point of Sale (POS) operators by armed hoodlums using commercial tricycles.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the gunfire erupted, causing businesses to shut down abruptly and creating panic among residents. In response, military reinforcements from the 144 Battalion camp quickly took control of the area. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers were particularly vigilant, allowing only female residents to pass through checkpoints with their hands raised, while male residents were restricted and subjected to intense scrutiny.
Transport companies operating near the incident site lamented the disruption to their services, as soldiers did not permit them to load passengers for Lagos and other destinations. The military's heightened security measures also restricted vehicle movement between Park and Bata Junction, another military checkpoint, compelling road users to seek alternative routes.
A resident of St. Michael’s Road, Mrs. Gilbert Orakwe, described a tense atmosphere as soldiers conducted rampage arrests of any male resident in sight on Friday night. The crackdown has added to the distress of the local community, already reeling from the sudden violence.
The Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) of the 14 Brigade Army Headquarters in Ohafia, he has not responded to messages regarding the incident.
Officials from the Abia State government, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to comment publicly, assured that efforts are underway to restore calm in the area. They condemned the attack and the killing of the soldiers, expressing their commitment to maintaining order and security.
Security analysts, including Mr. Cyprian Chukwuma, have urged soldiers in Aba to enhance their vigilance to prevent such incidents. "If the soldiers on duty at the Milverton area were vigilant enough, they should have detected the hoodlums and struck before they were attacked," Chukwuma stated, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and readiness.