The Nigerian Army have denied reports that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Nnamdi Kanu were labelled as terrorist by the Nigerian Military.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday night while speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki, The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai said rather, what the army did was to make a pronouncement on IPOB which, according to him, was not “a declaration per se.”
He added that what the federal government is doing regarding the group is the right thing.
It can be recalled that the Senate president, Sen. Bukola Saraki have said that labeling of IPOB by the military and the proscription of the group by the South East governors was "unconstitutional" and "didn't follow due process.
The Army Director of Information Major General John Enenche, had pronounced that IPOB was a terrorist organisation after a reported clash between military personnel and IPOB members in Umuahia, Abia state.
Enenche had, during the pronouncement, given the following reasons for tagging IPOB a terrorist organisation; According to him,“After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organisation is non-violent is not true.
“Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB.
“In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that have been terrorising the general public include: “The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.
“Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles, among others) on a military patrol on Sept. 10, 2017.
“Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on Sept. 11, 2017 and also attempt to snatch their rifles.
“Attack by IPOB members on a military check point on Sept. 12, 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.’’
“From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wish to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation.”
However, the nation's Army Chief, said the army did not categorize IPOB as terrorist organisation but that the Defence Headquarters just made 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.
“It is not that we are overstepping our bounds. We are still within the limits. And I ensure you that what the military said was to set the ball rolling and to bring the awareness to the public that this is what this organization is all about. I’m happy that the government has done the right thing right now," he said.