The Army has dismissed allegations that it is colluding with killer herdsmen and bandits to terrorise the Southeast and Benue State.
It described the claim by a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (Intersociety), as spurious, libellous and derogatory.
The Army in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, however, accepted the possibility of “black sheep” in its ranks.
“The Nigerian Army is not by this reaction denying the presence of black sheep in its fold, just like in any other organization or institution. This, the Army is very mindful of and actively monitoring and effectively handling within the provisions of extant laws”, the statement said
It claimed that Intersociety is sponsored by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) to destabilise the nation.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a libellous, spurious and derogatory narrative credited to one so-called International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (Intersociety), alleging that the Nigerian military, especially the NA is working with armed herdsmen/bandits to terrorise the Eastern part of the country and Benue state.
“A cursory look at the content reveals a business-as-usual pattern of propaganda by the well-known, paid jobbers and fifth columnists christened INTERSOCIETY, who after several failed attempts, still unrepentantly and shamelessly continues to dissipate its energy in mudslinging, all in a futile effort to drag the image and reputation of the NA in the mud, while promoting irredentists, lawless and outlawed organizations.
“Unfortunately for these mischief makers, the highly patriotic and untiring efforts of the Nigerian Army to neutrally defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria is visible enough and boldly seen by all and have received international accolades”.
It continued, “it is on this unmistakable pedigree, that the NA wishes to dismiss these concoctions and evil propaganda peddled and served to unsuspecting members of the public by INTERSOCIETY, covertly sponsored by IPOB/ESN, with the singular purpose of destabilising our dear nation.
“It is on record, that the NA conducted and will still conduct series of exercises not only in the South Eastern states but across all the states of the Federation, which has reasonably reduced criminality, especially in the South East, where Intersociety’s cohorts like IPOB and ESN could no longer enjoy the freedom of action to unleash death and mayhem on Ndigbo and other Nigerians, who do not support their evil bid.
“Intersociety’s unprofessional posture is crystal clear and evident in its biased and unbalanced submissions and reportage, as it has never openly condemned the atrocious activities of IPOB/ ESN, for which it is fronting.
“InterSociety would rather turn a blind eye, when these groups illegally deny law-abiding citizens their rights to freedom of movement and association through their illegal sit-at-home order, the attack on military, police, paramilitary personnel and other security agencies, the attack and callous beheading of Nigerians including Ndigbo, the destruction of government facilities and infrastructure, amongst myriads of other nefarious activities.
“However, the NA through the conduct of exercises such as PYTHON DANCE, GOLDEN DAWN, ENDURING PEACE AND STILL WATERS has effectively checkmated and drastically reduced their criminal activities and other sundry crimes in South Eastern Nigeria, while alongside the exercises, fostering excellent Civil-Military Relations through series of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities heralding the conduct of these exercises”.