By TINA TIMOTHY

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) Nigeria, has strongly condemned the recent killing of two soldiers along the Owerri-Umuahia expressway in South East Nigeria.

While condoling with the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Army, FENRAD, in a statement on Friday, November 15, 2024 signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor called for the removal of ?certain roadblocks and checkpoints that may be soft targets for armed non-state actors.?

The statement read: ?Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group in Abia State roundly condemns in its entirety the killing of two soldiers by gunmen alleged to be members of the armed wing of the IPOB, Eastern Security Network, ESN, close to the Owerri-Umuahia expressway.

?The Foundation commiserates these deaths and sends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected by this dastardly incident. It is important to stress that every life matters to FENRAD, and that as a matter of right, life should not be forcefully or gruesomely taken, civilian or military. The Foundation equally condoles with the Nigeria Army, NA and calls for an investigation into this despicable act.

?Following the incessant killings the military has had to suffer, especially in Aba, it is now ideal to remove certain roadblocks and checkpoints that may be soft targets for armed non-state actors. Our soldiers are not expendable humans to be used for target practice by faceless groups under whatever guise. The Foundation hopes the military leadership takes note and acts accordingly.?

FENRAD also urged the Abia State governor, Alex Chioma Otti to ensure security of lives in the state through provision of CCTV cameras, use of technology and intelligence for tracking down criminal elements, adding that ?securing lives and properties of citizens and residents must take a new measure in Abia, not the old way which exposes troops, contingents and formations to ungodly forces where they end up as casualties.?

Continuing, FENRAD said: ?Having hitherto called for installation of CCTV and street cameras on the streets and roads to help in tracking and rounding up criminal elements that have sworn to make Abia unlivable, FENRAD renews that call as it passionately appeals to the state government under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, the chief security officer of Abia State, to intervene in this matter. Securing lives and properties of citizens and residents must take a new measure in Abia, not the old way which exposes troops, contingents and formations to ungodly forces where they end up as casualties.

?The Foundation believes it is time to rejig security operations in Abia by transiting to technology, beefing up and improving intelligence. Things must not continue the same way.?

The foundation subsequently appealed to the Nigerian Army to maintain calmness and ?continue conducting themselves in the best professional way?, adding that ?this challenge shall be overcome.?

?Aware that no reprisals can solve the problem or return the dead, the Foundation calls for calm and urges the Nigeria Army, especially the men and personnel of Operation Udoka, to continue conducting themselves in the best professional way as the Foundation believes that this challenge shall be overcome," FENRAD added.