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Tag: military

  • Phew! The life of a military child

    Phew! The life of a military child

    Life they say isn’t a bed of roses; such is the narrative of a military child.

    Being raised by a military personnel is definitely not a bed laced with roses but one that has scattered stints of thorns along the way.

    A military person is first a human being; therefore performs all the basic biological expectations of a typical homo sapiens .

    However, the difference between a child raised by a “bloody civilian” and that of a “military personnel”, is in the way they stress and enforce some enduring military tenets like discipline and respect.

    First, let’s examine a few of the challenges faced by the military child. There is the overwhelming likelihood that military children hardly see or interact with their parents. Very often, he or she (that is, the parents) is sent on assignment, sometimes outside the country. This becomes a recurring decimal in the parent-child relationship.

    This creates a gap between the military personnel and his or her family, especially the children. Family moments like regular conversations, outings, picnics etc., that are very important condiments in the making of a healthy family relationship are mostly absent.

    A significant number of military children are restricted to mostly the four walls of their homes; they hardly have the opportunity to freely explore and interact with their immediate environment.

    To them, the voice of their parents is one that triggers feelings of fear and trepidation. You’d see some children run to hiding immediately they hear the voice of their parents.

    At certain stages in the psycho-social development of every child, there is a fierce and urgent need to mingle and form their identities with those of their peers. However, the case seems different for a child of military upbringing; parents are usually strict on their children interesting with their peers.

    God help the boy that misses his way in his juvenile need to woo a military girl-child; that day he would literally smell his brain and will NEVER make such a grave error because the kind of slap and beatings he will freely receive will leave an indelible impression in his consciousness for life.

    Sometimes, you will almost think that your parents are “monitoring spirits” will the excessive phone calls you get when you gain admission into higher institution.

    In all honesty, the kind of trainings – discipline, respect, integrity etc., you get from a military upbringing is totally invaluable.

    It sets the pace for life and living and enables you to be able to easily adapt, thrive and survive in whatever endeavour they find themselves.

    There’s a usual saying that “nothing last forever”, therefore, the circular, predictable and sometimes banal life of a military child will surely come to an end. As time passes, the parents begin to lose those extreme claws of clinching to their wards because they (the children) begin to come of age and become independent adults.

  • Sultan seeks extension of military’s retirement age

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd) have called for an extension in the retirement age for military officers.

    The Sultan, who is a retired Brig.Gen., said this became imperative due to the huge fund the Federal Government spends in training officers.

    The monarch spoke in Abuja at the weekend, at a dinner organised by members of the 18 Regular Course, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).

    He emphasised that grey hair may not necessarily mean old age, but greater experience thus, officers could still contribute to the military and provide better solutions.

    Sultan Abubakar said relevant authorities should discuss the possibility of upward review in the retirement age of military officers.

    “One point I want us to talk about is the retirement age of officers in the Armed Forces. You will get to 55 or 60, when you are just starting your life, but you are gone. We have gone round; we have seen generals at 65 with grey hair. Anyway, grey hair is not a sign of old age because Gen. Agwai has had his grey hair since 40.

    “Some of us that have grey hair are not too old but it is important we look at this and maybe, mobilise other people to start talking to allow our generals reach at least 60 or 65 before they leave service.

    “You spent so much money to train them, and at 55 to 60, they are gone when they don’t have replacement. Let us expand because Nigeria is so big.”

    The monarch solicited greater encouragement for the military due to their significance and service to the country, stressing that they should be praised rather than condemned.

    In his remarks, Gen. Agwai (rtd) identified the importance of the military acting as role models and mentors to the younger generation. He stressed the need for honesty for the country to witness genuine development.

    Gen. Agwai, who spoke on “Leadership as I See It”, urged the present and former military officers to give more to the society.

    “The country has invested so much in those of us privileged to attend the NDA, there is a lot more that we should give,” he noted.

    According to him, the country is blessed with so much potential – human and natural, sufficient enough to reposition the country but not properly explored.

    The retired general encouraged leaders to utilise the potential to end poverty, create jobs and develop the economy.

    “There is a difference between a leader and a boss. Most of us boss around, we are not leaders, and that is why people fear us rather than respect us. Leaders demonstrate a non-prejudicial way of doing things,” he added.

    Former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika lauded the service chiefs for improving the country’s security apparatus.

    He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for facilitating the purchase of new military aircraft, stressing that it has helped to contain insurgency in the Northeast.

    Gen. Ihejirika advised Nigerians to consider its ethnic differences as a form of strength to promote national unity.

  • IPOB: ‘military can protect all Nigerians’

    IPOB: ‘military can protect all Nigerians’

    A group, the Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC), said yesterday the recent military’s successful engagement of proscribed Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again raised hopes and confidence that the Armed Forces have the will, ability and capacity to protect law-abiding citizens against harassment or molestation in any part of the country.

    In a statement in Abuja by its Chief Media Strategist, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa and the Regional Rapporteur (North), Mallam Baba Al-Kasim, said the swift deployment of troops by the nation’s high military command effectively arrested last week’s IPOB-orchestrated mayhem in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    The group contended that following IPOB’s proscription and the near-fragile peace across the nation, the statement had become necessary to in order re-assure law-abiding citizens in the country of the readiness and capacity of the Nigerian military to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians currently living in any part of the country.

    Expressing satisfaction that the military’s Operation Python Dance II successfully started to checkmate crimes and criminality in the once-troubled region, CPC also praised the police for deploying its officers across the country to prevent possible reprisal attacks, following the violent activities of the now-proscribed militant group.

    The statement hailed the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), saying its quick intervention and timely public notice on September 15 by its spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, pulled the nation from the jaws of danger and disaster triggered by IPOB’s actions.

    It added: “We salute the pro-active and tireless Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, whose synergy-driven leadership and robust collaboration with the service chiefs and other security agencies has galvanised the nation’s security architecture to combat emerging national security threats effectively. Their efforts are visible and laudable.

    “But for the strategic move by the DHQ, the nation could have been on fire by now. So, we agree with Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who said God averted the world’s greatest bloodbath in the Southeast last week. We cannot thank God enough.”

    CPC statement also hailed Southeast governors for quickly rising above sentiments to proscribe IPOB.

    The group noted that their quick move easily fed into the military’s proactive Operation Python Dance II, which it said was significant.

    On the peace visits by Northern governors to the governors of Abia, Rivers, Imo other Southeast region, CPC said there is need for Nigerians of different races, regions, religions and political leanings to build faith, trust and equity in the country.

    It said: “Again, the ghost of separatist ideology has been buried. IPOB posed a bigger danger to Nigeria’s survival than Boko Haram, whose capacity has been severely degraded by our gallant military in the Northeast. The Southeast must be spared the monster of terrorism.

    “Blood-letting should stop in this country. The solidarity and peace visit to the region by the Northern governors is in order. The Southeast governors should reciprocate this noble gesture because of its symbolism that our leaders are working together and that our courageous military is always there to keep the peace.”

    The group noted that the current thinking in informed circles is that President Muhammadu Buhari deserves praise for carefully selecting a crop of focused, highly committed and hardcore military men, whose sacrifice, focus, courage and commitment anchored on discipline, probity, fresh tactical and strategic approach, have added immense value to nation-building.

  • Military begins withdrawal from Aba

    Military begins withdrawal from Aba

    The Army has begun a gradual withdrawal of its men stationed at various checkpoints in Aba after last week’s clash with protesting members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu told reporters last weeks in Umuahia that the military was withdrawing soldiers from the state.

    Investigation by NAN yesterday showed that only few of the new military checkpoints mounted in the commercial city had been dismantled.

    The five military checkpoints mounted on the busy Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway had been reduced to three.

    Emeka Chukwuma, a tricycle operator and resident of the city, told NAN that the checkpoints were causing traffic gridlock.

    He urged the governor to prevail on the military authority to remove the checkpoints to ease traffic.

    Activities are gradually returning to normal in Aba.

    Markets have re-opened after the five-day dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on the city by the governor.

    Most of the shops at Ariaria International Market, New Market, Shopping Centre, Cemetery Markets have re-opened for business. Customers were seen going about their businesses.

     

  • Presidency: military deployment in Southeast not invasion

    Presidency: military deployment in Southeast not invasion

    The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla has described as uniformed the argument that the military deployment in the South-east amounted to an invasion of the region.

    He argued that the President, by authorising such a deployment, acted within his powers as provided in the Constitution and was bound to do so in the face of the threat to national security constituted by the activities of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Read:Army to launch Python Dance II in South East Friday

     

    Obobo-Obla, in a statement yesterday, cited Section 8 (1 – 3) of the Armed Forces Act to justify the deployment. He added that the decision of the Federal Government was also supported by the provision of Section 217 of the Constitution, which allows the use of the armed forces in the face of insurrection and in aid of civil authorities to restore order.

    He said: “It is axiomatic that Abia State constitutes part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the President, Commander–in-Chief; President Muhammadu Buhari, has the power to deploy the Armed Forces to any part of the territory that constitutes the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to maintaining and securing public safety and public order.

    Also: IPOB: South East governors wade into agitations, initiate dialogue to end crisis

    “It follows that by Section 8 (3) of the Armed Forces Act, the President, in exercise of his powers to determine the operational use of the Armed Forces, direct that the deployment of any branch of the Armed Forces for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety and public order.

    “This is precisely what the President did when he deployed the Armed Forces to the Abia State of Nigeria to maintain and secure public safety and public order. Put differently, the President can, in certain circumstances, deployed the Armed Forces of Nigeria to perform police duties.

    “Examples of the use of the Armed Forces to maintain law and order sometimes in this country abound; so why are detractors of the Federal Government suggesting that the deployment of the Armed Forces to Abia State or the South East region amounts to invasion?”

    Citing the provisions of Section 217 subsections 2 (a) (b) (c) of the Constitution, Obono-Obla argued that “grammatically or literarily or contextually the description or branding of the deployment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to Abia State to maintain public safety and public order as invasion, in the face of threat by IPOB, is absolutely wrong.

    “The pertinent question is, what is an invasion?  An invasion is a military offensive in which large parts of combatants of one geo-political entity aggressively enter territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering, liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a territory, forcing the partition of a country,” Obono-Obla said.

  • Buhari to military: You must defeat ideologies of mindless killings

    Buhari to military: You must defeat ideologies of mindless killings

    …as, 689 pass out of NDA

     

    As 689 new officers were commissioned into the armed forces on Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari has told the military that they must defeat the ideologies that promote mindless killings and anarchy, saying that, Nigeria is confronted by enemies whose identities and motivations are unknown

    President Buhari stated this while reviewing the combined passing out parade of the cadets of the 64 Regular Course of the Army, Navy and Air Force), the 65 Regular Course of the Navy and Air Force), and the Short Service Course 44 of the Army.

    The President who was represented by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo said, the swift evolution in suicide bombings is a perfect illustration of the nature of the threats that nations face today, which are unpredictable, asymmetric, constantly adapting to changing conditions and driven by a compulsive need to inflict maximum damage with minimal effort.

    Addressing the newly commissioned officers of the challenges ahead of them, Buhari said, the world has gotten to a stage where people can now learn production of explosive device on the internet.

    He therefore, challenged the military to answer the question of how to defeat the ideologies that promote mindless killings and anarchy.

    According to him, “The world has changed a great deal in the time since today’s graduating classes enrolled into the NDA. The threats that confront us a nation and as a planet have evolved and continue to evolve. Forty years ago, a Speech like this would have been situated firmly within the context of the Cold War with its well-defined ideologies, and distinct warring parties.

    “Today we speak of non-State Actors and of asymmetric warfare, and are confronted by enemies that whose identities are as nebulous as their motivations. It feels like yesterday when the earliest high-profile Boko Haram suicide bombings happened in Nigeria.

    “If I recall correctly the bombing of the Police Headquarters in Abuja was the first major incident to hit the national consciousness. It was a surreal moment, something that no one associated with Nigeria. It was not uncommon, at that time, to hear people argue that the perpetrators had to have been of foreign origin, as it was not in the nature or personality of Nigerians to be suicide bombers.

    “This was only about six years ago. In the time since we have come to grow accustomed to suicide bombings and by Nigerians no less. The targets evolved rapidly, from symbols of authority like the Police Headquarters and the United Nations Building in Abuja, to encompass soft targets bus stations, religious houses, markets. And again very quickly we started to see a trend of female suicide bombers.

    “It is worthy of note that until about 2013, the phenomenon of female suicide bombers was virtually unknown in the Boko Haram insurgency. A short four years later, it is one of the defining elements of the insurgency, young girls, some not even teenagers yet, laden with explosives and sent off as harbingers of death and destruction.

    “This is therefore the question we ought to be asking ourselves: are our Armed Forces evolving with a similar speed and urgency, are they adapting with a similar nimbleness? How do we evolve rules of engagement in asymmetric warfare situations? Should we be redefining the borders of the Geneva Convention in the light of military engagements with armed militant combatants? Can we observe the same human rights rules where suicide bombers and persons determined to die and take with them as many innocent lives as possible? Are they enemy we must confront? What are the borders of the right to privacy and freedom of expression on the internet? What is the responsibility of Nations of the world in policing the internet, which has become a virtual training ground for much good and as much evil.

    “Some of the early analyses of yesterday’s bombing in a London tube suggest that tutorials for making the explosive devices used are available on the internet. How can the military get ahead of the curve on communications in the age of the fast, cheap and available communication for all?

    “We must also answer the question of how to defeat the ideologies that promote mindless killings and anarchy. But just as important as these issues around conflict are the issues around how the military can in the process of innovating or thinking through military uses of science and technology can add real value to the society and nation it has sworn to defend.

    “At this point let me say that I am pleased to note that the NDA has itself been positioning itself as a hub for innovation.  I am already aware of inventions such as an Automated Pop-Up Target System, a Multi-Purpose Combat Mobile Robot, and a Perimeter Surveillance Robot, which the NDA has showcased at various science and technology exhibitions in the recent past. This is laudable and I urge you to sustain the culture.

    “I would also like to urge you to collaborate more extensively with the private sector, for research and innovation. All around the country technology hubs are springing up that are attracting our Nigeria’s brightest talent, and breaking new technological ground. I am convinced that the military should make its presence felt in this area.

    “Let me of course also commend the management of the NDA for your efforts so far in adapting your curriculum and programmes to contemporary realities. I have been told of the recent paradigm shift in the Academy’s training calendar, such that Naval and Air Force cadets now spend only four years in the Academy and then move to their respective bases, in place of the old system that saw them spend all five years in the Academy. By allowing them to spend their final year within their respective bases is a clear indication of the commitment to producing better-trained and better-prepared Naval and Air Force graduates”, he said.

    The President therefore charged the new officers to contribute their own quota to the defence of their fatherland, saying that, they belong to a special breed of young Nigerians, who model the highest form of patriotism and love of country as they have sworn to defend the nation with their lives, as armed forces personnel.

    “You have an obligation to commit yourself to the never-ending task of nation-building, especially at a time like this when our country is urgently in need of peace, unity and cohesion. As you join your senior colleagues in the field, you will be obligated to contribute your own quota to the defence of your fatherland.

  • Why we proscribed IPOB – Umahi

    Why we proscribed IPOB – Umahi

    Chairman of the South East Governors forum and Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Dave Umahi Saturday said the governors of the zone had to proscribe activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop tension that was rising in the zone.

    Umahi who briefed journalists in his office in Abakaliki said the Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu was gradually losing control of the situation and the group prompting the governor’s to wade in to prevent further bloodshed.

    He said the proscription has achieved desired result.

    He said IPOB has lost its original ideal by causing unnecessary tension and killings in the south east which he said has affected investment drive in the region.

    The governor also stated that based on evidence before him, the Military did not attack IPOB on Sunday as claimed by Mr Kanu adding that it was the IPOB members who threw bottles and stones on Military officers who were passing.

    “When you put a small fire, it can go very far and become difficult to controll”.

    “The IPOB activities were gradually getting out of control of Nnamdi Kanu. Soldiers were passing on the way when IPOB members started throwing stones and other objects on them and it sparked off the clash between the group and the military.

    “It is a shame that when this thing happened, a man called Charles Ogbu had to send phone numbers of all South east governors, Senate President and others and all our people could do was calling us to insult us, talked to them anyhow. These are people that never experienced any war in their lives.

    He said the lives of Northerners and all non-indigenes in the state and zone must be guaranteed at all times warning that security agencies have been directed to deal decisively with anyone that tries to cause a breach of the peace.

    “Our focus is how to save lives of every Nigeria and we believe in a united Nigeria. Lives of people are involved and we must not play politics with that,” he said.

    “Anybody that wants to foment troubles must be crushed and I want security agencies to beef up security around all the non-indigenes in the state and to report to me of any problem because we must maintain the peace.

    The Governor called on youths to stop insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the country as according to him was very bad.

    He also noted that the Northern Governors will soon visit the South East, a visit which will also be replicated by the South East Governors to the North as a means of fostering unity in the country.

    He maintained that majority of Igbos do not want secession from Nigerian but to be treated fairly and justly in the county.

    “That is why we are all talking about restructuring, there is no part of this country that is not feeling marginalised somehow and that is why all the zones are setting up committees on restructuring”.

    Umahi however noted that injustice or marginalisation should not be a reason to talk about secession maintaining that dialogue should be the best way to resolve and redress all differences.

    On operation Egwu Eke II (Python dance II), the governor said the exercise was never targeted at IPOB but intended to curb rising incidents of crime especially kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

    He noted that no one including the Military expected that there will be violence as the Egwu Eke II that was staged last year was largely successful.

    Heads of security agencies in the state and some Principal Officers of the state government attended the briefing.

  • ‎IPOB-Military Face-Off: Gov. Ikpeazu, Traditional Rulers, Army meet

    The face-off between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Nigerian Army has changed the security situation in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia state, Southern Nigeria.
    The tensed security situation in the state came after the Nigerian Army launchedOperation Python Dance II in the Southeast region.

    The operation led to a face-off between the Nigerian Army and some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) onSunday, September 10.

    The Sunday clash in its wake left three (3) people injured, with the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu saying the Nigeria Army is instigating IPOB members to pick up arms.

    The Nigerian Army returned to Kanu’s Afaraukwu country homein Abia state on Tuesday, September 12 with about 10 Armoured Carrier Vehicles and seven Hilux vans, with the development forcing shop owners in the area to close immediately.

    Apparently displeased with the security situation in the state, the Abia state governor,Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, imposed a three-day curfew on Aba in a statement signed by him and sent to the media

    On Wednesday, the Governor extended the three days curfew in Aba to Friday, September 15, 2017, a move which is aimed at calming the tension in the commercial nerve centre of the state.

    The governor , alongside Traditional Rulers in the State, met with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) commanding the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu, Major General A.B. Abubakar, at Government House in Umuahia, the Abia state capital on Wednesday.

    During the meeting, Ikpeazu and the Traditional rulers appealed to the GOC to reduce military presence in the state, particularly in Aba and umuahia, as tension in the areas have gone down

    The governor noted that the Nigerian Police and other security agencies should ensure that those who are brought into Abia from other states, in order to cause trouble and engage in acts capable of causing breach of law and order, should be prevented from entering the state.

    In a related development, the Nigerian Army says the General Officer Commanding 82 Division is investigating a viral video which shows some soldiers molesting some people suspected to be members to be members of the IPOB

  • Reps call for caution over military force in South East

    Reps call for caution over military force in South East

    The military has been urged by the South East Caucus in the House  of Representatives to apply caution over what it called the “Show of Force” in the South Eastern part of the country.

    In a statement on Wednesday, signed by the leader of the caucus and Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, the lawmakers warned that any operation that frighten, maim or lead to loss of lives of citizens and property, are unjustifiable.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the South East Caucus of the House of Representatives has been drawn to the reported fallout from the ongoing military show of force in the South East, code named Operation Python Dance II.

    “Though without convincing explanations, we were informed that a few days ago, some civilians were shot and wounded as they clashed with soldiers at Afaraukwu Village in Umuahia, yet again we have received report of a military invasion of  the Umuahia NUJ Office where journalists were molested and their equipment destroyed.

    “As a result of the escalating tension, Abia State Governor had to impose a dust to dawn curfew in the commercial town of Aba.

    “While we appreciate the right to discharge core duties of the Nigeria armed forces as spelt out under section 217 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), there is no gainsaying that  internal military operations can only be conducted without doing violence to the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights of citizens.

    “To conduct operations that frighten, maim or lead to loss of lives of citizens and property, are clearly unjustifiable and an offence to our democracy and the rule of law.

    “We therefore call for a de-escalation of “internal military operations” in Abia State and the South East as a whole, while urging our brothers and sisters at home to remain civil and law abiding.

    “We wish to express our support to the reported setting up of a Seven -man Committee by the South East Governors to investigate the causes of the current conflict in Abia State.”

  •  Kanu, IPOB blamed over face-off with military 

     Kanu, IPOB blamed over face-off with military 

    Following the recent face-off between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Nigerian military in Abia State, the South East Renewal Group (SERG) has blamed Nnamdi Kanu as the root cause of the tension in the region.

    The development has forced the state government to declare three days of curfew across the state.

    Reacting to the incident, SERG called on Igbo leaders of thought not to tarry further in doing the needful to arrest the impending war.

    Speaking with newsmen Wednesday  in Abuja, Charles Mbani, National President of the group lamented that from his discovery, the IPOB youths have been brainwashed into seeing the army as the enemy.

    According to Mbani, “You must have, like other Nigerians, watched recent events in Igboland with a sense of foreboding, concern and utmost dread. Images emerging from the southeast, our homeland, are as troubling as they are worrisome with the most recent being those of youths attacking military detachment with all manners of crude weapons including catapults, cudgels, machetes, sticks and others.

    “These youths are being put up to this mischief after being brainwashed by the so called Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which is now militarizing them as its fighting force. These misguided youths have been deceived into thinking they are making the right sacrifice of protecting Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader whereas the only thing they sacrificing is their lives that they are throwing away on the altar of ignorance.

    “The soldiers attacked by these uncouth elements are the ones taking part in Egwu Eke II (Operation Python Dance II), which we find most ridiculous considering that the same operation last year ensured that kidnappers and armed robbers that were desecrating our land were curtailed to a point where Igbos enjoyed peaceful 2016 Yuletide. We are therefore wondering if there is a nexus between IPOB and the crimes being eradicated by the military for its youths to become virulent on the scale being witnessed.”

    Speaking further, the SERG leader condemned the confrontation with the military in the strongest terms as irresponsible, barbaric and having no place in a pluralistic country like Nigeria.

    He added, “We urge other well-meaning elders of our land to join in condemning the incidents. The unnecessary attempt to provoke the military into using stick to address the Biafra issue would be catastrophic and those who love the region should do so well to warn their children from setting the region ablaze.

    “May we emphasis that Igbo leaders of thought must tarry no further in doing the needful before it’s too late. The conspiracy of silence on the part of these leaders is what has made Nnamdi Kanu fill the resulting vacuum as a demagogic evil that is leading our youth population astray. This disposition of indifference was displayed as the hate speech championed by Kanu gained momentum until it got to a point where other ethnic groups in Nigeria basically developed a morbid collective disdain for the Igbo.

    “The hate speech has now crystalized and is the bedrock of the aggression being exhibited against the military. It nothing urgent is done the next phase in this ugly evolution could threaten our existence as a people.

    “We have interrogated the situation and discovered that the IPOB youths have been brainwashed into seeing the army as the enemy, which is most unfortunate since the person whom they think they are defending is their real enemy. Nnamdi Kanu holds dual citizenship and will escape to the United Kingdom once he has the opportunity to flee across the border. He is going to leave behind broken bodies and damaged youths that would have destroyed their lives in pursuit of what is meaningless relative to contemporary world reality.”

    The group further noted that some of those sponsoring the growing violence in south eastern Nigeria are those who lost money and political relevance having edged their bets in favour of former President Goodluck Jonathan being re-elected.

    “Interestingly, Jonathan has moved up but these loser remained locked in the past and think their only access to redemption is to send our youths on suicide mission. We counsel such persons to desist forthwith for the Igbo nation is larger than the mess of pottage that they are bitter over.

    “We have also noted the role of shameless politicians in Igboland that see the madness being advocated by Nnamdi Kanu as something to be milked for political capital. We have in the recent days seen such politicians rushing to tacitly endorse violence as the answer when other ethnic nationalities are pushing for restructuring. If violence is activated as being advocated the forget that our land would burn while other parts of the country continue with their life,” Mbani added.