Abia soldiers killing: Deputy Speaker sets up peace fund panel 

 Archbishop advises army against reprisal attack

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has inaugurated a seven-man Peace Fund Committee to help raise financial assistance for victims of insecurity in the South East region. 

   
Kalu inaugurated the panel after he paid a condolence visit to the 144 Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West Local Council of Abia State, on Sunday, where he announced the setting up of the committee. He subsequently donated N10 million to kick-start the process. 
   
The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, in a statement, yesterday, said that over N30 million has been contributed by well-meaning members of society and abroad barely 24 hours after the unveiling of the fund. 
   
Inaugurating the committee in Bende Council of the state, Kalu named a member of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), Daniel Akwari, as the Chairman and another member, Mary Ikoku, as the Secretary. 
   
Also, a former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Martins Azubuike, is to serve as the treasurer, while another member of PISE-P, Sam Ifeanyi Hart, will serve as the Publicity Secretary. 
   
Other members of the committee include the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu; the member representing Bogoro/Das/ Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in the House of Representatives, Jaafaru Leko, as well as the member representing Birnin Kebbi Kalgo Bunza Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Ibrahim Mohammed. 

MEANWHILE, the Anglican Archbishop of Owerri Province, Bishop David Onuoha, has appealed to the Nigeria Army to apply caution over their planned retaliation, following the gruesome killing of their five personnel by suspected gunmen at Aba, Abia State, last Thursday, to avoid killing more innocent citizens.
   
The cleric, who appealed, while speaking to newsmen at the opening session of the 6th diocesan synod of Oru Diocese, Oru-West Council of Imo State, at the weekend, described the killing of the soldiers as unfortunate, disheartening and a grievous mistake. 
   
He stated that those behind the killings did not act in the interest of NdiIgbo, adding that other stakeholders of the South East states regret the incident, commiserating with both the military and families of victims over the loss.