By David Kabiyesi
Irked by moves to enforce Simon Ekpa’s sit-at-home order in the South-East come Monday, July 21, Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has vowed to unleash his men on members of Indigeneous People of Biafra who are bent on stopping people from going about their normal business.
Speaking on Thursday, Lagbaja said he was miffed at Ekpa’s comments which clearly posed a huge threats to safety of life and properties in the South-East if his order is violated, warning that the army will not fold his hands and watch terrorists cause fear among the populace.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu however has calmed the frayed nerves of the Igbos saying that the Army will be out to enforce order.
“The renewed threat by IPOB to compel the people in southeast Nigeria to sit at home is not only appalling but a violation of the fundamental rights of southeastern Nigerians and, therefore, unlawful. This will never be condoned,” Nwachukwu stated.
“The Chief of Army Staff has handed down clear directives to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army operating in synergy with other security agencies to ensure robust patrols to dominate all flashpoints and emplace measures to ensure citizens are free to go about their legitimate businesses.”
“We implore the good and enterprising people of the South-East to shun all forms of cajoling or threats aimed at unlawfully compelling them to be reclusive by sitting at home. We urge them to join forces with the security operatives to resist this illegality perpetrated by IPOB,’ he said
Recall Ekpa said the protest is aim to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was sacrosanct, noting that the sit-at-home order was to facilitate the freedom of the Biafran nation, among other objectives.
