Following widespread criticism and controversy over the decision of the Nigerian Army to designate the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terror group, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, on Monday, denied that the military ever made such a “declaration”.
Buratai attempted to make a distinction, stating that 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 was doing regarding the group was the right thing.
The army chief made this statement while speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
According to him, “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”.
Earlier, Buratai had during the the occasion of the Nigerian Army Chief of Army Staff, COAS, 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference 2017, held in Abuja, stated that the army did not have the final say on the designation of IPOB as a terror group, while also dismissing claims that the army acted under political pressure from the government.
He noted that there were guidelines in the country’s Terrorism Act which conferred such powers exclusively on some relevant government agencies.
He said, “As regards the proscription, this is what I want to give: the federal government will take a final decision on that. There are guidelines as provided in the Terrorism Act and I am sure the relevant government agencies will take appropriate steps whether to arrest or whether to do any other actions and we will receive the appropriate directives from the authorities.
“You should understand the context by which the Nigerian Army is operating. Nigerian Army is part of the political consideration in the democratic system. It is part of the democratic process, it is a product of the democratic governance. So we are not receiving any pressure, we are giving what the constitution provided for us, constitutionally what our responsibilities are for us.
“So we are not under any pressure whatsoever. There are several provisions that give us those responsibilities and also to carry out such task as duly assigned by the government or by the constituted authority.
“Be rest assured that we don’t have any other role that is outside the constitution. Nigerian Army is part of the political consideration in the democratic system; it is part of the democratic process, it’s a product of the democratic governance”.
Recall that the army’s Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, had stated that IPOB was a terrorist group following the reported clash between military personnel and IPOB members in Umuahia, Abia state.
According to Enenche, “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.”
Buratai’s comments are coming only few hours after the latest criticism of the army’s decision by the President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, who had condemned the designation of IPOB as a terror group, saying it was unconstitutional.
Saraki had also faulted the South-East governors for proscribing the activities of IPOB in the region.
