2019 Elections: Army To Clampdown On IPOB, Pro-Biafra Groups

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has ordered formation commanders in the South-east to clampdown on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other splinter groups in the region threatening to disrupt the 2019 Elections.

He gave the order while speaking at the Chief of Army Staff Operations Conference, a meeting which brought together the army’s apex administrative and operational commanders nationwide.

The COAS disclosed that the military had information that “unpatriotic groups aided by foreign conspirators” were planning to scuttle the conduct of the 2019 General Elections.

Buratai said, “I have issued directives for Operation Safe Conduct of the 2019 General Elections. The army has produced a code of conduct handbook for personnel to guide them during the elections and copies have been distributed to all formations. The activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra and their splinter groups in the South-East part of the country is gaining momentum as the groups are threatening to disrupt the 2019 electoral process. Their excesses must, therefore, be clamped down on immediately.

“Furthermore, the political clashes in Taraba State and a few other states call for enhanced liaison between commanders, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in order to de-escalate tension as quickly as possible.

“We have information of subversive motives by some unpatriotic groups aided by foreign conspirators to scuttle the peaceful conduct of the 2019 General Elections in some parts of the country. We hereby warn such detractors to immediately mend their ways. The army is working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure an enabling environment for the citizens to exercise their civic rights. In this regard, General Officers Commanding and field commanders at all levels are to deal decisively with any form of security breach.”