The Nigerian Army on Sunday vowed that 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.”
The Army also called on “all relevant international organizations,” especially Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take immediate action and hold the Indigenous People of Biafra/Biafra Liberation Army (IPOB-BLA) led by Finland-based Simon Ekpa and other terrorist elements accountable for the “heinous crimes” against an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, who was paraded in a viral video.
A statement by Nigerian Army Spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, regretted that the “harmless ex-soldier” was “subjected to brutal torture by the so called IPOB/ Biafra Liberation Army” and “was also forced to deliver coerced messages to active military personnel, urging them to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities and abandon their duties.”
The statement therefore “urges all Nigerians to disregard this malicious video and stand united against the vile acts of terrorism perpetrated against Nigerians, and particularly, the good and law-abiding people of South East Nigeria by IPOB terrorists.”
The full statement by Nigerian Army Spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said: “The Nigerian Army has taken serious note of a disturbing video circulating online, posted by the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of IPOB, Simon Ekpa. In the appalling footage, an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, who honorably retired from the Nigerian Army six years ago, was obviously subjected to brutal torture by the so called IPOB/ Biafra Liberation Army.
“He 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.
“It must be unequivocally stated that the claim by IPOB and its terrorist leader that ex-corporal Toriola is still serving in the Nigerian Army is far from the truth. This outrageous propaganda by IPOB terrorist group is undoubtedly an attempt to justify their savagely 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.
“The Nigerian Army therefore urges all Nigerians to disregard this malicious video and stand united against the vile acts of terrorism perpetrated against Nigerians, and particularly, the good and law-abiding people of South East Nigeria by IPOB terrorists. It is no gainsaying that an overwhelming majority of Nigerians in the South East and across the nation have already rejected the criminal propaganda spread by IPOB.
“In response to these threats, 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. The recent annihilation of key terrorist leaders in identified terrorists’ strongholds is clearly indicative of this commitment.
“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.
“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.”