Military Denies Declaring IPOB Terrorist Organisation

The Nigerian military has denied declaring the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation.

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, made the disclosure at the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki on Monday evening.

According to the army chief, the defence headquarters (DHQ) did not declare IPOB a terrorist organization, but only made a “pronouncement”, which he says gave room for “the right step to be taken”.

Recall that last Friday, the DHQ branded IPOB a “militant terrorist organisation’’ and urged parents to dissuade their wards from joining the group.

In a statement by Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Director, Defence Information (DDI), the military accused the group of possession and use of weapons, such as stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles, among others.

In reaction on Monday, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the action of the military was unconstitutional.

However, Buratai said the military did not act beyond the limits of its power and that actions taken by the Federal government concerning IPOB was right.

“You have to get it very clear. First of all, what the defence headquarters did was to make pronouncement. It wasn’t a declaration per se. But this has given room for the right step to be taken. I think the government is doing the right thing,” he said.

“It is not that we are overstepping our bounds. We are still within the limits. And I ensure you that what the military said was to set the ball rolling and to bring the awareness to the public that this is what this organisation is all about. I’m happy that the government has done the right thing right now.”