The Nigerian Army has reacted to the video of Soldiers assaulting IPOB members in Aba.
During
their Operation Python Dance in Abia State yesterday, a viral video
that is currently receiving mixed reactions, shows the Nigerian soldiers
assaulting IPOB members, forcing them to swim and allegedly drink dirty
water.
The Army said that any soldier found to have involved
himself in such untoward activities would be dealt with in accordance
with military law.
This was contained in a statement issued by the
Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army,
Col Sagir Musa in Enugu this morning. The statement entitled, “VIDEO
CLIP OF ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS
BEING INVESTIGATED.”
It Reads
“The attention of the Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has been
drawn to a video clip trending on social media and other platforms
purportedly showing troops humiliating some people at a check point in
Abia State, Nigeria. “The issue is being investigated with the view to
ascertain the source and the actors in the clip. Our Code of Conduct and
Rules of Engagement are quite clear and any officer or soldier that
infringed on any of such directive if found guilty, will face full wrath
of the military justice system.
“We would like inform the public
that 82 Division is also aware of the planned misinformation and
propaganda arrangement by the secessionists Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB). They intend to churn out prerecorded video clips aimed at
discrediting the Nigerian Army, causing disaffection among the citizens
of this country. They will be using bogus, manipulated and photo-shopped
photographs as well as video clips. The public should be wary of such
mischief, scrutinize and report same to the Nigerian Army or any of
security agencies. “The Division wishes to reassure the public that it
is determined to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in its area
of operational responsibility, particularly the entire South East
geo-political zone as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
We do not condone any act of indiscipline in
the conduct of our operations and training exercises. Any claim of
rights violation would be investigated and when confirmed, appropriate
disciplinary action would be taken against the erring personnel.”