The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has issued a directive for troops to seize control of areas where the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) enforce their sit-at-home order across the South-East states.
This decision follows an announcement by Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator based in Finland, declaring a two-week sit-at-home period in the South-East region starting from July 31.
Ekpa’s sit-at-home order aims to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, as well as to further the cause of the Biafra nation’s freedom. He warned of severe consequences for those who fail to comply with the order.
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Responding to these developments, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, spoke to the press, denouncing Ekpa’s announcement as unlawful and unacceptable. He stated that the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has been instructed to ensure the unimpeded movement of citizens as they go about their daily activities.
Brigadier General Onyema emphasized, “The renewed threat by IPOB to compel the people in southeastern 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.”
He further clarified that the Chief of Army Staff has issued explicit orders to the 82 Division to work jointly with other security agencies in conducting robust patrols, securing flashpoints, and implementing measures to guarantee the freedom of citizens to engage in legitimate businesses.
In a surprising twist, Onyema called attention to the fact that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of IPOB and a notorious terrorist, resides in Finland while ordering the people of the South-East to disrupt their livelihoods by observing the sit-at-home order.
The army spokesperson appealed to the people of the South-East region to disregard the sit-at-home order and instead support the security forces in their efforts to counter the activities of IPOB. He urged them, saying, “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.”
Similarly, the police have expressed their determination to resist the sit-at-home order throughout any part of the South-East region.
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