President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the brutal murder of a military couple who were murdered by gunmen while traveling to formalize their traditional marriage rite in Imo State.
Army Couple Killed in Imo
KanyiDaily recalls that a military source had revealed that the female soldier, Private Gloria Mathew, was first raped before she was shot dead along with her fiancé, Master Warrant Officer Audu Linus.
The source said the couple, who were on their way to fulfill their traditional wedding rites in Imo, were later beheaded by the gunmen who made a video of the incident and circulated it online.
Reacting in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, the president condemned the brutal murder, describing it as an ”alien and barbaric act”.
Buhari also expressed deep condolences to the Nigerian Army and the families of the deceased couple, directing security agencies to track, arrest and bring perpetrators to justice.
The statement reads, “On behalf of the government and the entire nation, President Buhari expresses deep condolences to the Army and the families of Master Warrant Officer Audu Linus and his partner, Private Gloria Mathew, who were beheaded after being shot by a terrorist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), last Saturday as confirmed by the Army.
“The bodies were inhumanely treated and gleefully posted on social media platforms.
“The President joins fellow citizens in expressing deep sense of shock and condemns the barbarism of the perpetrators of this unfortunate incident, and similar acts of violence against law enforcement agents, describing it as alien to all cultures and civilisations.”
Buhari described the incident as unacceptable, adding that he has directed security agencies to “do their utmost in apprehending the perpetrators of these barbaric acts and bring them to justice”.
The president also urged community leaders to “speak with one voice, to show that the entire country is one against this cruel and barbaric act of violence”.
This comes a few days after five people were killed when gunmen attacked a popular beer parlour in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.