Biafra: Nigerian Army warns against blackmail, spurious allegations

The Nigerian Army authorities have declared that the security outfit will not succumb to cheap blackmail allegedly aimed at undermining its professionalism and the security integrity of the country.

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, made the declaration in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday.

He said this in reaction to an allegation reportedly made by one Mr Emma Powerful who claimed to be the media and publicity of the Indigenous People of Biafra ((BIAFRA) that 11 of its members were killed by soldiers on January 20, 2017 in Port Harcourt during a solidarity rally to commemorate the election of President Donald Trump of the United States.

The deputy director of the army public relations further stated that the allegation was not only false and malicious, but also “existed in the figment of his imagination”.

He warned mischief makers that “the Nigerian Army will no longer tolerate such spurious and unfounded allegations that are injurious to the hard-earned image and reputation of the Nigerian Army, its selfless and dedicated officers and soldiers by any group of criminals, regardless of their appellation.

“It would be recalled that on 20th January 2017, members of the group were mobilised from Abia, Anambra,  Enugu, Imo and Cross River States for an alleged rally with dubious intent of molesting innocent citizens, intimidating passers-by and wrecking havoc on commuters, thereby disturbing public peace, safety and security.

“The choice of Port Harcourt (the Garden City), the Rivers State capital, as the epicentre of the protest has left much to be desired.

“It is however worthy to restate that one of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigerian Army is to come to the aid of the civil authority whenever the need arises.

“In line with this constitutional mandate, troops of 29 Battalion Nigerian Army were deployed in conjunction with other sister security agencies to prevent any loss of life or property, with strict adherence to the established rules of engagement.

“Despite all provocative attempts occasioned by the stoning of security agents and the smashing of commuters’  windscreens by the violent protesters, troops refused to be cajoled into the criminal gang’s trap to fire a single shot”, he said.

Colonel Iliyasu said the action of the troops was indicative of their total commitment and compliance with the rules of engagement.

“The violent protest was subsequently subdued with the use of tear gas and arrests were made by a sister security agency, with no casualty recorded on either side.

“It is however worrisome and disturbing for anyone to falsely accuse troops deployed in support of civil authority who conducted their duty professionally under the beaming lenses of cameras of allegedly killing 11 citizens of our great country.

“A well observed trend of this criminal gang is the malicious posting of old videos and pictures from their archives on social media platforms which has no bearing on their claims to attract public sympathy and whip sentiments among the citizenry.

“To this end, Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, wishes to inform the public that the allegation is not true and should be dismissed as mere propaganda by the separatist group.

“We wish to restate our total commitment to the protection of lives and properties within the Division’s area of responsibility.

“We therefore solicit the cooperation and understanding of all peace loving citizens and further enjoin them to join hands to help eradicating all forms of criminality within Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.

“This will no doubt enhance mutual co-existence, peace and socio-economic development of the region”, the statement added.