In a bid to bring justice to the fallen heroes, the Abia State Government has declared a N25 million bounty on the perpetrators behind the tragic killing of five soldiers at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba.

Recall that the incident unfolded during a daring attack by unidentified gunmen on a military checkpoint, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of two patrol vans.

The gunmen reportedly made away with the soldiers’ rifles before vanishing from the scene.

In response, the state government, through Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu, issued a statement condemning the attack, expressing sympathy to Chief of Army Staff Major General Taoreed Lagbaja and the Military High Command, and offering prayers for the deceased soldiers.

The statement partly reads “As a government committed to security, safety and peace within its territory at all times, the Abia State Government considers the event of Thursday, May 30, 2024 a serious affront to its resolve by criminal elements who are hell-bent on returning Abia to the dark days of insecurity and fear amongst citizens, especially in Aba, the economic heartbeat of the State.

“This is more regrettable in the light of the fact that unprecedented investments have been made in the last one year to restore the city’s public infrastructure and reposition it as an attractive investment destination for local and foreign businesses.

“The Government will therefore respond appropriately to reassure citizens, investors and friends of Abia across the world that it would be relentless in bringing the full wrath of the law to bear on anyone or group who constitutes the slightest threat to the peace and security of the land, whatever be their motivation.

“To underscore its resolve, the State Government is offering a N25 million (Twenty-five Million Naira) reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs.

“The security formations in the State have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has taken a bold step by canceling Civil Service positions endorsed by former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Addressing a gathering in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara pledged to institute a more equitable recruitment process in the near future.

He criticized the previous appointments, alleging they were driven by political motivations rather than qualifications.

He said, “On the 10,000 jobs, when we came on board, we already had details that were submitted to us from the 23 Local Government Areas. You will agree with me that when we subjected those names to proper scrutiny, most of those names, in fact, 60 per cent of those names were over-aged. They were names that people brought for political patronage.

“But what we are talking about today is employment for the future. I, personally after the analysis of those things, said ‘How will you employ somebody who is 52 years old as a civil servant?’ How many years is the person going to work before retirement?”

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has announced an indefinite strike starting at midnight on Sunday, June 2, in response to the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.

President, NLC, Joe Ajaero made the announcement during a press conference at Labour House in Abuja, on Friday.

He emphasized that the decision came after numerous failed negotiations with the government.

More to follow………