EDO killings: Nigerian military headquarters warn against retaliation, promise to deal with any group that reaches out threats

Director of Defense Media operations, Major General Markus Kangye, spoke in Abuja on Thursday, claiming that political leaders of Edo and Canoe states had already “resolved” the crisis. Nigeria’s defensive headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, has issued a strict warning against any group planning retaliation over the recent murders in Uromi, Edo State, in which he declares that security agencies will emphasize the tensions. Director of Defense Media operations, Major General Markus Kangye, spoke in Abuja on Thursday, claiming that political leaders of Edo and Canoe states had already “resolved” the crisis. He said the Edo State Government came out to the relevant families in canoeing to kill tension. “At the political level, everything has been completed. Anyone or group trying to panic or issues threats will be investigated and handled accordingly,” Kangye declared. The Military General also sent back against widespread concerns that security forces have relaxed their activities against violent herdsmen, terrorists and bandits across the country. “The army is still a lot in battle. We have offset many of them and will continue with our attack against them and their leaders,” Kangye insisted. According to reports that the Niger Republic of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Kangye rejected the claims as unverified. He emphasized that the MNJTF, created by the Lake Chad Basin Commission, remains decisive in the approach of borderline terrorism. ‘If a country pulls out, it will weaken the synergy needed to combat terrorists across the region. Attempts must be sustained to maintain this collaboration, ‘he added. The assurance of the military comes amid growing fear of retaliation attacks to the Edo murders, with tension still high despite political leaders’ interventions. Remember that operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS) also arrested two main suspects involved in the murder of 16 Nigerians of Northern withdrawal last week. According to a statement from Fred Itua, the general secretary of the Governor, on Monday Okpebholo, the arrests were made by DSS operatives in uromi based on credible intelligence. “Operative of the DSS has arrested two main suspects involved in the murder of 16 Nigerians in Uromi. The arrest was made to credible intelligence, and security forces reinforce the attempts to detect other individuals associated with the crime,” Itua said. However, the arrested suspects were transferred to Abuja by the relevant authorities for further interrogation and prosecution. On the issue of compensation for the victims’ families, Itua made it clear that the discussions between the EDO and Canoe state governments continued to determine the appropriate form of compensation. “As you know, Governor Okpebholo was in talks with the canoe state government and he visited the families of the 16 victims, where he assured them of compensation,” he said. “However, I cannot confirm whether it will be financially or take another form, but an attempt is made to support the families.” After the arrests, panic spread among uromi residents, with many people who allegedly fled their homes for fear of being detained by security forces.