The Nigerian Army says it will not tolerate cheap blackmail from criminals, in an angry response to reports that officers killed 11 Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) protestors in Port Harcourt recently.
The killing is said to have been carried out on January 20 when IPOB members gathered in Rivers State to celebrate the swearing-in of United States President Donald Trump.
Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director of Army Public Relations (6 Division), said the allegations were “baseless” and “unsubstantiated.”
He dismissed the IPOB as a “criminal gang.”
“The allegation is false, malicious and existed in the figment of his (IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful's) imagination,” said Iliyasu.
“We therefore wish to warn Emma Powerful and other likeminded mischief makers that the Nigerian Army will no longer tolerate such spurious and unfounded allegations that are injurious to the hard-earned image and reputation of the Nigerian Army, its selfless and dedicated officers and soldiers by any group of criminals regardless of their appellation.”
Iliyasu said the event was “an alleged rally with dubious intent of molesting innocent citizens, intimidating passers-by and wrecking havoc on commuters thereby disturbing public peace, safety and security.”
“It is however worrisome and disturbing for anyone to falsely accuse troops deployed in support of civil authority who conducted their duty professionally under the beaming lenses of cameras of allegedly killing 11 citizens of our great country.”
He said there was a trend by IPOB to post old videos and pictures from their archives on social media platforms which have no bearing on their alleged claims to attract public sympathy and whip sentiments among the citizenry.
The Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said the allegation should be dismissed as mere propaganda by the group.
“We wish to restate our total commitment to the protection of lives and properties within the Division's Area of Responsibility,” Iliyasu said.
– CAJ News