The Nigerian Army says it has taken serious note of a disturbing video circulating online, posted by the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of IPOB, Simon Ekpa where an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, who honorably retired from the Nigerian Army six years ago, was subjected to brutal torture by the IPOB/ Biafra Liberation Army.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the retired Corporal was also forced to deliver coerced messages to active military personnel, urging them to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities and abandon their duties.
This defenseless citizen was further compelled to falsely claim he was treated well while being held captive.
According to the statement, the claim by IPOB and its terrorist leader that ex-corporal Toriola is still serving in the Nigerian Army is far from the truth.
The army described the claim as outrageous propaganda by the IPOB terrorist group and an attempt to justify their savage mistreatment of an unarmed,
law-abiding citizen who served his country meritoriously.
A dehumanizing act that the Army said must be condemned in the strongest terms by the international community.
The Nigerian Army has urged all Nigerians to disregard the malicious video and stand united against the vile acts of terrorism perpetrated against Nigerians, particularly the good and law-abiding people of South East Nigeria by IPOB terrorists.
The statement noted that an overwhelming majority of Nigerians in the South East and across the nation have already rejected the criminal propaganda spread by IPOB.
‘The Nigerian military, in close collaboration with other security agencies, has recently intensified operations aimed at eradicating terrorism and insurgency in the Southeast and other parts of the country. These operations have resulted in the annihilation of key terrorist leaders in identified terrorists’ strongholds, indicating the commitment of the security forces.
‘The savage treatment of innocent citizens like ex-corporal Toriola
and other law-abiding Nigerians must not be treated with levity as the army called on all relevant international organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court, to take immediate action and hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB terrorist elements accountable for all heinous crimes.’
The Nigerian Army says it will remain steadfast in protecting all Nigerians, including its retired and active personnel from such terror, stressing that villainous acts of terror by Simon Ekpa and his accomplices must come to an end.
Source: Voice of Nigeria