The Nigerian Army has said the singular purpose of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is to destabilise the country.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, added that the army will not succumb to intimidation by the International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law in its effort to rubbish army’s image and reputation.
Nwachukwu said that INTERSOCIETY had continued with its antics of dragging the image of the Nigerian army in the mud while promoting irredentists, lawless and outlawed organisations.
He said the allegation by the organisation that the Nigerian military, especially the army had been working with armed herdsmen/bandits to terrorise the Eastern part of the country and Benue was libelous, spurious and derogatory.
According to him, a cursory look at the content reveals a business-as-usual pattern of propaganda by the well known, paid jobbers and fifth columnists christened INTERSOCIETY.
“Unfortunately for these mischief makers, the highly patriotic and untiring efforts of the Nigerian army to neutrally defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria is visible enough and boldly seen by all and have received international accolades.
“It is on this unmistakable pedigree, that the army wishes to dismiss these concoctions and evil propaganda peddled and served to unsuspecting members of the public by INTERSOCIETY, covertly sponsored by the proscribes Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) with the singular purpose of destabilising our dear nation.
“It is on record, that the Nigerian army conducted and will still conduct series of exercises not only in the South Eastern states, but across all the states of the Federation.
“This has reasonably reduced criminality especially in the South East, where INTERSOCIETY’s cohorts like IPOB and ESN can no longer enjoy freedom of action to unleash death and mayhem on Ndigbo and other Nigerians, who do not support their evil bid.
“INTERSOCIETY’s unprofessional posture is crystal clear and evident in its biased and unbalanced submissions and reportage, as it has never openly condemned the atrocious activities of IPOB/ ESN, for which it is fronting.
“INTERSOCIETY will rather turn a blind eye, when these groups illegally deny law abiding citizens their rights to freedom of movement and association, through their illegal sit-at-home order, the attack on military, police, paramilitary personnel and other security agencies, the attack and callous beheading of Nigerians including Ndigbo, the destruction of government facilities and infrastructure, amongst myriads of other nefarious activities,” he said.
Nwachukwu said that army had through the conduct of its exercises, checkmated and drastically reduced their criminal activities and other sundry crimes in South Eastern Nigeria.
He said the recently concluded Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2022 held in Owerri, Imo, saw the Nigerian army bringing succor to the South Easterners through organised medical outreaches, renovation of schools, sinking of boreholes and road repairs.