The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned what it described as the inhumane treatment of innocent citizens, including a retired ex-corporal, Toriola Adewale, by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Biafran Liberation Army.
The Army also urged international organisations to hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB leaders accountable for their involvement in acts of terrorism and human rights violations.
In a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army decried the escalating violence and terror tactics employed by IPOB, particularly the recent brutal treatment of ex-corporal Toriola Adewale, whose ordeal was captured in a disturbing video circulating on social media.
The Army described the actions of IPOB and the Biafran Liberation Army as “villainous” and “dehumanising,” calling for swift action from global human rights bodies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The statement from the Army detailed the harrowing treatment of retired ex-corporal Toriola Adewale, who was reportedly kidnapped and subjected to severe physical and psychological torture by IPOB militants.
In the widely circulated video, Adewale was seen being coerced into delivering messages to serving military personnel, urging them to abandon their posts and join the separatist cause.
The Nigerian Army strongly refuted claims by IPOB that Toriola Adewale was still an active member of the military, calling it a blatant lie designed to justify the group’s heinous actions.
“The claim by IPOB that ex-corporal Toriola is still serving in the Nigerian Army is false.
This propaganda is an attempt to justify their mistreatment of an unarmed, law-abiding citizen who served his country meritoriously,” the statement clarified.
The Army urged the public to disregard the video and refrain from spreading IPOB’s propaganda, warning that such misinformation only serves to further the group’s agenda of violence and instability in the region.
In a direct appeal to international organisations, the Nigerian Army called for Simon Ekpa, one of the leading figures of IPOB, and other key leaders of the group to be held accountable for the ongoing violence and terror inflicted on innocent civilians.
Major General Nwachukwu stressed the importance of global action, urging bodies such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, and other human rights organisations to take a firm stand against IPOB’s crimes.
“The Nigerian Army urges all Nigerians to disregard this malicious video and stand united against IPOB’s terrorism.
We call on international organisations to take immediate action and hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB leaders accountable for these crimes,” the statement read.
The Army further emphasised that the acts of terror carried out by IPOB, including kidnappings, assaults, and coercion, were part of a broader strategy by the group to destabilise Nigeria and incite fear among the population.
It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue supporting the military’s efforts to combat insurgency and terrorism in the country.
In the face of mounting security challenges, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the lives and rights of all citizens, including both retired and active military personnel.
The Army vowed to continue its efforts in combating IPOB’s insurgency and pledged that those responsible for the torture of ex-corporal Toriola Adewale would be brought to justice.
“The Nigerian Army will remain steadfast in protecting all Nigerians, including its retired and active personnel, from terror. Justice will soon catch up with Simon Ekpa and his accomplices.
They can run, but they cannot hide forever,” the statement concluded, signalling the Army’s resolve to pursue those involved in the atrocities.
The Nigerian Army’s condemnation comes amid a rise in violent activities by IPOB and its armed wing, the Biafran Liberation Army.
The separatist group has been accused of numerous violent acts, including attacks on security personnel, kidnappings, and the destruction of government infrastructure in its bid for the secession of the southeastern region of Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has officially designated IPOB as a terrorist organisation, and the group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains in custody, facing charges related to terrorism and treason.
Despite Kanu’s imprisonment, IPOB’s activities have continued, with Simon Ekpa emerging as one of the group’s vocal leaders, particularly in pushing for the enforcement of sit-at-home orders and the use of violence to achieve its objectives.
The Nigerian Army has been at the forefront of efforts to contain the spread of IPOB’s insurgency and has carried out several operations aimed at dismantling the group’s operational networks.
Despite these efforts, IPOB continues to engage in acts of violence, with the civilian population often caught in the crossfire.
As the Nigerian Army continues its battle against IPOB’s insurgency, the brutal treatment of retired ex-corporal Toriola Adewale has brought renewed focus to the terror tactics employed by the group.
The Army’s call for international accountability is a crucial step in highlighting the need for global cooperation in addressing the growing threat posed by IPOB and its affiliates.
With tensions rising and violence continuing to plague the southeastern region, the role of international organisations in pressuring IPOB’s leadership to cease its terrorist activities cannot be overstated.
The Nigerian Army, for its part, has pledged to remain resolute in its mission to protect the nation and ensure justice for the victims of IPOB’s atrocities.
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