• Faults illegal militarization of the S-East
By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
For Biafra Writers
September 17, 2017
ENUGU— The inner caucus of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has faulted the declaration by the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, of the Nigerian army, of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organization.
Ohanaeze, In a 9-point communique signed by its President, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, the Secretary-General of the group, Barrister Uche Okwukwu, and issued at the end of their emergency meeting held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, on Saturday, referred the Nigerian army to the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011, for the determination of a terrorist organization.
In the same vein, the elders also condemned the unprovoked deployment of military troops in the Southeastern states by the Nigerian army under the smokescreen of carrying out a military operation codenamed Operation Python Dance, even as they sympathized with the families of the bereaved.
The statement reads in part, “The decision of the Nigerian army to commence Operation Python Dance in the South-East at this point in time is regrettable and called for immediate termination of the exercise.
“The military option is never a solution to the problem of nation-building. We refer for instance, to the goings on in Spain, Scotland and other parts of the world to reaffirm that only through dialogue can the national question be resolved.
“Consequently, we condemn all acts of violence in pursuance of freedom of expression. The unfortunate loss of lives during the Armed Forces intervention is deplorable and Imeobi (inner caucus) sympathizes with the bereaved families.
“It is the sole responsibility of the Police in every democracy to maintain law and order and protection of lives and properties of the citizens.
“Imeobi Ohanaeze resolved that IPOB is not a terrorist organization. There are processes under extant national and international laws, especially the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, as amended in 2015, to determine whether a group is or not a terrorist organization.”
Ohanaeze also held that Nigeria, under a restructured federal system of government that guarantees justice, equity and fairness is the best system for the country, adding that it would, in the coming days, organize a special summit in support of the restructuring agenda.
Ohanaeze also held that Nigeria, under a restructured federal system of government that guarantees justice, equity and fairness is the best system for the country, adding that it would, in the coming days, organize a special summit in support of the restructuring agenda.
Publisher: Charles Opanwa
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