The Nigerian Army has called on international organizations (International Criminal Court and Amnesty International) to hold Simon Ekpa, self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), responsible for brutalising law-abiding citizens in violation of international laws of armed conflict.
The Director Army Public Relations Major Onyema Nwachukwu stated this while reacting to video posted by Simon Ekpa of an alleged soldier captured by IPOB fighters.
He said the appalling footage, showed an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, who honorably retired from the Nigerian Army six years ago, “obviously subjected to brutal torture by the so called IPOB/ Biafra Liberation Army”.
Nwachukwu said the ex-soldier 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”.
He said, “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 savage treatment of innocent citizens like ex-corporal Toriola and other law-abiding Nigerians must not be treated with levity. We call 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 these heinous crimes”.
He described the video as an outrageous propaganda by IPOB terrorists to justify their mistreatment of an “unarmed, law-abiding citizen who served his country meritoriously. Such dehumanizing acts must be condemned in the strongest terms by the international community,” he added.
He therefore, urged all Nigerians to disregard the malicious video and stand united against the vile acts of terrorism perpetrated against Nigerians, and law-abiding people of South East Nigeria by IPOB terrorists.
He assured that 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.
He added that the recent annihilation of key terrorist leaders in identified terrorists’ strongholds is clearly indicative of this commitment.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Army will remain steadfast in protecting all Nigerians, including its retired and active personnel from such terror.
“The villainous acts of terror by Simon Ekpa and his accomplices must come to an end, as justice will soon catch up with them. They can run, but they can not hide forever,” he said.
