The Nigerian Army has described as “gruesome, barbaric and most despicable” the cold-blooded murder of two soldiers, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M. Linus (retired) and Private (Pte) Gloria Matthew, while they were on transit to Imo State for their traditional wedding.
It also vowed that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 stated that on Saturday, April 30, the “Nigerian Army received the 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 been 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.
“Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the Nigerian Army 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 Nigerian Army has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book,” Nwachukwu’s statement read.
He enjoined members of the public to give credible information to security agencies, which would lead to the arrest of the criminals.
Thenewsbearer recalls that the couple were murdered by yet-to-be-identified assailants in Imo State.
The female soldier was reportedly raped before she was shot dead along with her fiancé. They were also decapitated after the killing.
They were said to be on their way to formalise their traditional marriage rites when the incident occurred.
A video of the incident was also circulated online by the perpetrators.
