Efio-Ita Nyok|16 September 2017
The controversial military operation termed Exercise Egwu Eke II popularly called Python Dance II, Major General T. Y. Buratai's Nigerian Army insist, commences today 16th September to 14 October.
The Nigerian Army has reportedly labeled the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group on the account of five premises which NegroidHaven culled from the twitter (@HqtrsNigerianArmy) handle yesterday. Generally, the NA contends that IPOB is unarguably a violent organisation. Formation of an intelligent arm, possession of weapons, physical confrontation, etc is compelling the NA to see IPOB as militant besides the fact that it's evolving from phases to phases and pose a security challenge.
The Nigerian Army twits goes thus:
'The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, Unauthorised blocking of public access roads…4
'Extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks..5
'Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes & broken bottles etc) on a military patrol on 10 Sept. 2017…/6
'Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu & other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 Sept 2017 & attempts to snatch their rifles…./7
'Attack by IPOB members, on a military check point on 12 Sept, at Isialangwa, where an IPOB actor attempted to snatch a soldier’s rifle…./8
Accordingly, the Nigerian Army explained that: 'The #ArmedForces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the public that IPOB from all intent as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation../9'.
Given these five reasons by the Nigerian Army, the question is, is it the place of the NA to designate an organisation as terrorist or not? Is it not the place of the State as vested in the judiciary to label IPOB a terrorist organisation? Again, if the disposition to seek self determination is inherent in every group according to international instruments Nigeria is signatory to, what's the crime in IPOB seeking self rule? If these is a purely political affair why not resolve it politically and not by the NA? Why is Nigeria's unity non-negotiable?
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven
