- The Nigerian Army has denied killing anybody in south-east
- The Army said claims by IPOB that some of its members were killed and abducted by the army is false
- The Army said it will not encourage or condone any form of professional misconduct especially human rights abuses
The Nigerian Army has said denied claims by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that some of its members were killed, manhandled and kidnapped by soldiers in Abia, Imo and some other states of the south-east geopolitical zone.
In a statement signed by Colonel Sagir Musa, the Army said the claim by IPOB is false and that the Army will not encourage or condone any form of professional misconduct especially human rights abuses.
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Colonel Musa said: "Contrary to the dubious and bunkum claims made in the latest news release made available to the press on Tuesday the 12th of February 2019 by the so called Secretary for the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) alleging – “the killing of two young men in Owerri and the imaginary abduction of Biafrans” in Aba, Abia state by the Nigerian Army (NA), I wish to state there was nobody that was manhandled, shot, wounded, abducted or killed by a soldier or soldiers of the NA in Abia and Imo states or in any other state of the south-east geopolitical zone.
"As a professional and responsible organisation, the NA under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has variously and sufficiently – (both in deeds and actions) made it clear that it will not encourage or condone any form of professional misconduct especially human rights abuses."
Colonel Musa said the Nigerian Army will not ordinarily join words with an illegal organization but just to set the record straight against the kind of divisive, selfish and wicked propaganda and misinformation mischievously being perpetrated by the proscribed IPOB.
"The NA ably represented by the 82 Division in the South East, will continue to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians in the zone and is determined to ensure peaceful and secured conduct of free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.
"For awareness and further clarification, – civilians are not detained in conventional army detention centres except under exceptional situations such as on charges of terrorism, insurgency or any form of armed insurrection among others.
"So, anyone arrested by the NA during the ongoing Exercise EGWU EKE 111 has been handed over to the civil police for further necessary action. Members of the public are hereby requested to disregard any form of divisive and inciting propaganda particularly the ones coming from the likes of miscreants and outlawed organizations like IPOB," he said.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the Nigerian Army's plan to commence the Operation Python Dance III in states in the southeast region of Nigeria.
The Igbo socio-cultural group said the deployment of soldiers to the region is a move to intimidate resident under guise.
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Speaking on the proposed Operation Python Dance III in the region, the spokesperson for the Ohanaeze, Chuks Ibegbu, said the troops should be deployed to to farms, road construction sites and engage them for city beautification purposes if there are no more defence jobs for them.
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Source: Legit.ng