IPOB using propaganda to malign Nigerian army: Nwachukwu
The Nigerian Army says members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are using pictures of fake soldiers arrested by its troops recently to malign the institution.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Mr Nwachukwu said that one Solomon Okafor of Radio Biafra London, had been peddling a malicious disinformation and falsehood on social media, alleging complicity by troops in a fictitious case of kidnapping of a family of 10 in Kaduna State.
He said Mr Okafor also alleged that about 87 per cent of Nigerian soldiers were kidnappers and bandits.
Mr Nwachukwu said the said report was a creation of IPOB/ESN social media foot soldiers, with intent to malign the Nigerian army.
He said the picture being circulated on the social media was a picture of fake soldiers (impostors) who were arrested recently in Lagos-Ondo states axis by troops of Operation Checkmate under 81 Division.
According to him, the operation was widely publicised in both the new and traditional media before handing over the suspects to the Nigeria Police.
“It is also crucial to emphasise that following troops’ successful exploits in unravelling and unmasking IPOB elements who have been masquerading as unknown gunmen and wreaking carnage against Ndigbo in South East Nigeria, IPOB/ ESN have severally attempted to use doctored graphic images, video footages and spurious narratives in online and social media campaigns to disparage the Nigerian army and bring her to disrepute.
“The author and his sponsors should note that no matter the campaign of calumny by IPOB and other fifth columnists, the Nigerian army will be undeterred and remains a cherished national institution that will continue to execute its constitutional mandate of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, toward building a united nation.
“Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard this mindless and irresponsible propaganda clearly emanating from IPOB, aimed at promoting insecurity in the country,” he said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Bandits kidnap naval officer in Kogi, demand N3 million ransom
“I’m appealing to security operatives to please help rescue my husband from the hands of his abductors,’’ the naval officer’s wife begged.”
Economy
95% of starch used in Nigeria imported despite being largest cassava producer: FG
“We are also the largest producer of cassava in the world,” he said. “Yes, currently, we import over 95 per cent of the starch we use.”
Anti-Corruption
Yahoo-Yahoo fraudster forfeits Benz car, iPhone to FG
Delivering judgment, Justice Hannatu Balogun sentenced Mr Emmanuel to one-year imprisonment with an option of N300,000 fine.
Economy
DMO lists N250 billion Sovereign Sukuk on NSE, FMDQ
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has listed N250 billion Sovereign Sukuk on the Nigerian Exchange (NSE) Group and the FMDQ Securities Exchange.
Anti-Corruption
Court remands man for N9 million forex fraud
Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos has ordered that a man, Solomon Idonije, charged with alleged N9 million forex fraud, be remanded in EFCC’s custody.
World
‘Whole world’ needed to rebuild Ukraine, declares Germany
“This is not a project for one year or two,’’ Ms Schulze told dpa in the Swiss city of Lugano, where the talks were conducted.
