Kalu condemns killing of troopers, urges navy restraint
<!– tmc_ads_send({ “data-tmc-application”: “240527QJBmDrni”, “data-tmc-seat”: “240527FGR657jX” }) –>
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu on Sunday paid a condolence go to to the 144 Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the Abia State over the latest killing of three troopers by yet-to-be recognized gunmen.
He appealed to the navy to train restraint whereas combing town and its environs looking for the perpetrators of the crime.
A press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu issued on Sunday night time quoted Kalu as saying, “In a time after we are attempting to see methods to encourage the troopers and the police who we imagine want extra for the sacrifice they make for this nation; at a time after we in parliament are struggling to see how we are able to higher their lives, individuals are carrying weapons. What a ache!
“Whatever made them do that, it’s a painful factor for this nation. That is why all of us are rising boldly to sentence it, to sentence this act in its entirety.
“It has no justification particularly when now we have been begging with our Peace in South East Project. Since December 29, 2023, we’ve been pleading that we must always not use kinetic methods to settle conflicts.
“We’ve been begging the safety businesses. Enough of capturing, and so they have revered our name. Even the Chief of Army Staff has gone round preaching non kinetic means to settling our conflicts. He has been going round. I watch him.
“And he has been selling this to the rank and file, saying, everything cannot be solved through guns. We can negotiate, we can talk, we can apply other skills. Not because they are weak, but because by their training, they are trying to employ a better approach to spill less blood.”
He warned of the hazards of frightening armed troopers, saying, “If you enable the navy to be indignant on this State, none of us shall be secure. If they get indignant and say they wish to retaliate, we is not going to be secure on this Abia State. And that’s the reason we’re nonetheless begging {that a} non kinetic strategy continues to be what is going to work.
“We wish to urge the navy to please proceed utilizing your non kinetic means. Do not due to this provocation, go on rampage. But if there may be any step to be taken to seek out these folks, please do it. Do all you possibly can as a result of I do know you possibly can.
I do know your navy intelligence abilities. I do know the safety businesses on this nation can come collectively if not for something, however this one. Find us those that did this and let or not it’s made public.
“Let the military, the Navy, the Air Force, the Police, the DSS, all of you should come together, find these people who did it. I’m happy Mr. President stood up and spoke firmly against this because he is a lover of peace.”
The Deputy Speaker along with the Peace within the South East Initiative Project made a donation of N10 million to help the wives of the slain troopers.
“You are usually not alone. Weep no extra. I do know it’s tough however we’re standing with you. That was why we determined to point out you the primary signal of affection. We didn’t come empty handed.
“We stated for the reason that Governor got here right here and gave you a scholarship, we’re going to open an account, a fund for all lovers of the work individuals are doing, to assist the welfare of those that have misplaced their lives in the midst of their obligation.
“But in launching that fund, we are starting with M10m. We are giving you today the sum of N10m. We want at least each of them to get N2m to start a business on the side, not for school fees since the Governor has taken care of school fees. This is coming from the Peace In South East Project and the Office of the Deputy Speaker,” he stated.
In his response, the Brigade Commander of the 114 Battalion, Brigadier O Diya who acquired the deputy speaker stated efforts are already ongoing to apprehend the killers.
Diya stated, “We can guarantee you, sir, that people who dedicated this, we’ll search for them. We will discover them and we’ll smoke them out wherever they’re.
“Efforts are already in place to ensure that we find them and make them pay for what they have done for making these women and children go through this pain, this irreparable pain. It’s very unfortunate.”
