Unknown gunmen have killed a couple who were operatives of the Nigerian Army in Imo State.

It was gathered that A.M Linus, a Master Warrant Officer, and his Lance Corporal wife were on their way to Imo State to formalise their traditional marriage rites when the tragic incident occurred.

A military source disclosed that the woman was first raped before she was shot dead along with her husband.

The source further disclosed that the couple were also beheaded by the assailants, adding that the gunmen made a video of the incident and circulated it online.

He said: “They were on their way to Imo State on Saturday when the incident happened. The man, a Master Warrant Officer, and the woman, a Lance Corporal, were on transit when they met the criminals who killed them and made videos and circulated online. The woman was raped before they shot at them and cut off their heads.

“You won’t believe these gunmen as we speak still used their phones to make calls to their family members, making jest of them and threatening to kill them as well.

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“This couple just married recently, even their photoshoot caused a lot of criticism, and seems they were punished for it. Though the man is married to another woman with grown-up kids, he suddenly eloped with this young soldier. I was told the girl also had kids before joining the army as well.

“The man was a member of the 19 regular intakes while the wife was of the 79RI. The man still has a father; his brother is also a soldier working at a battalion in Kaduna State,” the military source disclosed.

The incident was confirmed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, adding that investigation was ongoing.

Nwachukwu condemned the gruesome murder of the soldiers, noting that the army would ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

He said: “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 being 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 NA 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 NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.

“Members of the public are please enjoined to oblige security agencies actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals,” the army spokesperson stated.

The Star