The Nigerian Army has reacted to claims by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that soldiers orchestrated the kidnapping of a family of 10 in Kaduna State and that 87 percent of army personnel were kidnappers and bandits.
In a statement signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu and released on Saturday evening, the army said that nothing could be farther from the truth.
The army said the claims were “malicious disinformation and falsehood peddled by one Solomon Okafor of Radio Biafra London, making the rounds in the social media”.
“The meme alleged complicity by troops in a fictitious case of kidnapping of a family of 10 in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He also maliciously alleged that about 87 percent of NA soldiers are kidnappers and bandits,” the statement further read.
The army said it would have ignored “this merchant of falsehood, considering his lack of credibility” but deemed it necessary to “put the records in proper perspective for the interest of unsuspecting members of the public, whom such misrepresentation could mislead”.
The statement read, “It must therefore be clarified that the said report is a creation of IPOB/ESN social media foot soldiers, with intent to malign the NA. The picture bandied around on the social media is a picture of fake soldiers (impostors) who were arrested in Lagos – Ondo states axis by troops of Operation CHECKMATE under 81 Division NA, sometime in April 2022. The operation was widely publicized in both the new and traditional media before handing over the suspects to the Nigeria Police.
“It is also crucial to emphasize 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 NA 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 NA 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, towards 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.”