The Nigerian Army (NA), on Tuesday, vowed that the murderers of the military couple will never go unpunished.
The innocent couple are strongly suspected to have been murdered by the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Brigadier General, Director Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as “unknown gunmen” in their criminal violent campaign in the region.
According to him, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.
The Army, described the gruesome and barbaric murder as most despicable of its personnel.
The Army said that the wickedness of the murder was beyond description as the killers did not even consider the child.
According to the Army, the manner in which IPOB and ESN, murdered Audu Matthew Linus and Private Gloria Matthew, was a callous act of terrorism.
The Army condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims and stated that the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
NA, therefore, appealed to the members of the public to oblige security agencies necessary information that would lead to the arrest of the criminals.
The statement further said the dastardly acts are becoming too many stressing that it clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness of the groups.
“The Nigerian Army (NA), on Saturday 30 April 2022 received information on the gruesome, barbaric and most despicable manner in which members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network(ESN) murdered in cold blood, two soldiers Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private(Pte)Gloria Matthew, who were on transit to Imo state for their traditional wedding.
“Apparently, the soldiers had embarked on the trip to fulfill the traditional rites of conjugating their
matrimony, as the very well respected and cherished Igbo tradition demands.
“Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo state, has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South East Nigeria did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.
“This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have being unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.
“This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their own child, clearly depicts callousness, impenitence and is indisputably, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.” The statement reads.
According to the Army, the manner with which foot soldiers of IPOB and ESN have being unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claimed that they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East, is terrorism.
“Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.
“While we deeply condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
“Members of the public are please enjoined to oblige security agencies actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals.” The statement further stated.