SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the soldiers were killed by gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order given by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to remember the Igbo people who died during the 1967-70 Nigerian Civil War.
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the killing of five soldiers in Aba town, Abia State on Thursday.
SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the soldiers were killed by gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order given by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to remember the Igbo people who died during the 1967-70 Nigerian Civil War.
IPOB had set aside May 30 to mark Biafra Heroes Day.
The soldiers were killed at Obikabia Junction in the Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.
The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, had vowed that the military would retaliate against the killing in a statement on Friday, accusing IPOB and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network of being responsible.
IPOB has since denied the responsibility.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, Atiku condoled with the families of the affected soldiers and the Nigerian military even as he condemned the violent attack.
The former Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the 2023 general elections, who shared his statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, however advised the federal government that it is time to explore a political resolution to Nnamdi Kanu (IPOB leader) and other associated issues, which he believes would calm down the crisis in the South East region.
"The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one.
"May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday's sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations."
Meanwhile, Atiku advised that security agencies should distill criminal elements from the legitimate agitators rather than blanket and generalisation of operations.
"The veil of the so-called unknown gunmen hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.
"To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues.
"I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties."