Army Reads Riot Act To Pro-Biafra Protesters

The Nigerian Army, on Monday, warned pro-Biafra agitators that it was ready to suppress insurrection by any group across the country.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Enugu, Col. Hamza Gambo, who read a statement on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, during a press conference at the division’s headquarters in Enugu, noted that the ongoing protests had led to an increased sense of insecurity in the South-East and South-South.

“The truism of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is not contestable particularly as it is guaranteed by sections 39 (1) and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“Instructively, this constitutional guarantee does not allow for abuse of other person’s freedom and safety.

“It is, however, pertinent to note that the same constitution vide section 217 (2) mandates the Armed Forces of Nigeria to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so.”

“To this end, if and when the Nigerian Army is called upon to play its legally mandated role, it shall do so with utmost sense of duty and responsibility to the nation.

“In such an instance, the Nigerian Army shall act within its rules of engagement accordingly. It is also important to reassure all law-abiding citizens that they have nothing to fear,” Gambo added.

According to him, “The Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting democratic norms while ensuring a peaceful environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.”

Gambo stressed that the ongoing agitation for Biafra was a threat to lives and property.

He said, “In the past three weeks, there has been a marked increase in the activities of pro-Biafra groups in some parts of the South-South and the South-East of Nigeria.

“These activities include protest marches, demonstrations and some reported cases of outright lawlessness and threat to lives and properties.

“These demonstrations are being orchestrated by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, the Indigenous People of Biafra and other affiliated groups.

“These agitations and protests have led to an increased sense of insecurity across the regions.”

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