By Sammy Yahaya
The Commander 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Adegoke Adetuyi, has expressed the determination of the military to eradicate criminals from Ohafia area of Abia and its environs.
This newspaper learnt that there was an incident on Wednesday when the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu visited the town for an event and some persons attempted to disrupt his activities.
The eye witness said the fracas led to the death of a young lady who was hit by a stray bullet wile one of the soldiers who were drafted to the area to quell the crisis was also killed as well as another young man.
This, according to the the witness, triggered the military to mount check points on all entry and exit routes to the town thereby restricting movement into and out of the community.
During a visit by the delegation of traditional rulers and elders of Ohafia, led by the Chairman of the Local Government, Dr Okoroafor Ukiwe on Friday to the Brigade Headquarters, Adetuyi express that the army under his command would not romance with criminals.
He reiterated that the troops would do everything possible within their constitutional mandate to ensure that peace is maintained without compromise in Ohafia and the entire state.
The Brigade Commander also registered his displeasure on the incident that led to the killing of a young innocent soldier and a lady in the community.
He disclosed that killings were carried out by members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), adding that none of the criminals would be spared in the communities.
Adetuyi however enjoined the traditional rulers and monarchs to talk to their subjects to eschew violence, embrace peace and stop harbouring criminals in their domain.
This, according to him, is necessary so as to ensure that innocent and law abiding citizens would not be subjected to unnecessary inconveniences or get hurt.
He further disclosed that there was need for the delegates to endorse an undertaking assuring of their undiluted support for peace and security in Ohafia Local Government Area, which they all consented and signed the document.
The Commander further enjoined all stakeholders to report any act that is inimical to the peace and security of the communities, stressing that with synergy success could be achieved.
Earlier, the local government Chairman Dr Okoroafor Ukiwe commiserated with the Commander over the death of his soldier, adding that the Council was aware of the efforts of the military in securing Ohafia and its environs.
Ukiwe also assured the commander that modalities on the way forward to avoid a repeat of the unfortunate incident was of priority to the local government.