Biafra: Buhari to order Army out of Abia today
President Muhammadu Buhari may today direct the Nigerian Army to leave Abia State.
The decision, it was gathered, was to douse tension that has enveloped the region following onslaught against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He said the president, who had given a matching order to crush anyone engaging in violent acts, had a rethink following appeals by Southeast governors, elder statesmen and other stakeholders.
“President Buhari has received briefings about the operation. Reports show that the agitators have calmed; further deployment of troops at this point may be read as declaration of war against Igbos.
“The governors have given him their word, that they are on top of the situation. The IG has already sent mobile police force to Abia and they are now on ground.
“The announcement will be made tomorrow (Tuesday). Number of troops will be slashed, while the remaining detachments will remain to maintain the peace.”
The signal from the president might have led to the denial by Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, that the Defence Headquarters declared IPOB a terrorist organisation.
Speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki, Buratai insisted that what the military did was a “pronouncement”.
“You have to get it very clear. First of all, what the Defence Headquarters did was to make pronouncement. It wasn’t a declaration per se. But this has given room for the right step to be taken. I think the government is doing the right thing.
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