By Raphael Ede
Enugu
The Nigerian Army yesterday warned the protesting members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra States, and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), not to disrupt the peace in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country.
While noting “the marked increase in the activities of pro-Biafran groups” in the areas, the Army expressed its readiness to deal with the agitators when called upon to do so within the country’s legal framework.
Handing down the warning at a press conference in Enugu, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Hamza Gambo, said this had become imperative because of the nuisance the groups were constituting to the peace of the land.
Gambo listed their activities to include protest marches, demonstrations and some cases of outright lawlessness and threat to lives and properties.
He warned: “The truism of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is not contestable particularly as it is guaranteed by the Constitution. Instructively, this constitutional guarantee does not allow for abuse of other person’s freedom and safety.”
“It is pertinent to note that the same constitution 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,” he further clarified.
The spokesman said the army would act within its rules of engagement and called on law-abiding citizens to go about their normal activities.
While insisting that the disturbances were orchestrated by the two groups, Gambo noted that the agitations had led to an increased sense of insecurity in the regions.
