Army Accuses IPOB Of Spreading Fake News To Gather Support

The Nigerian Army has accused the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of spreading fake news to gather support and stay relevant in the South East.

The Army Spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the accusation in a statement titled, “Conspiracy Pretext Employed by IPOB/ESN, a Hoax” on Saturday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu denied a recent allegation that the Department of State Services (DSS) created and funded Biafra National Guard (BNG) to enforce the sit-at-home Order in a bid to discredit IPOB.

The Army spokesman stated that such fake news was part of the plans of the outlawed group to whip up sentiments and galvanise support in the region.

He stated that the spurious allegation by the outlawed group was unfounded and could be absolutely described as a hoax.

He, however, stated that the activities of IPOB have undoubtedly assumed a violent dimension in recent times following the killings in Imo, Anambra and other parts of the region.

The statement reads: “Though the NA would not like to elevate such purveyors of disinformation and propaganda, it is expedient to put on record that in recent times, the activities of IPOB/ESN have undoubtedly assumed a violent dimension. This unimaginable level of violence is oiled with propaganda and disinformation to whip-up sentiments and draw sympathy from unsuspecting citizens in the region.

“For the records, the proscribed organisation has in recent times foisted a sit-at-home order to show sympathy for their self-acclaimed leader.

“This was greeted with violence, orchestrated destruction of public installations and facilities, arson, as well as looting of shops and malls in the region, to demonstrate their criminal potency. They defiled the sanctity of the highly revered traditional institution of Ndigbos by recklessly murdering their traditional leaders.

“These spineless and irresponsible actions targeted at the very people they claim they want to liberate, clearly unmask their heinous and directionless agenda for Ndigbo.

“Realising the futility, hollowness and public rejection of their violent agitation, they resorted to twisting the narrative in the region to galvanize local support. Their wild allegation that BNG and UGN were an overt operation by the DMI and DSS is not only laughable but remains largely illusive and a ploy to diminish the public support the NA is savouring in the ongoing exercises.

“These criminal elements with their cohorts must come to terms with the reality of the ongoing Exercise GOLDEN DAWN and turn themselves into security agencies or be ready to face the consequences of their lawlessness.

“More grotesque is the narrative peddled by these merchants of propaganda, in respect of IPOB/ESN gunmen recently eliminated by troops in a shootout at Ekwulobia Roundout in Aguata LGA. These unscrupulous elements insinuated that those taken out were Fulanis.

An outrageous claim that should be disregarded in its entirety. This is another failed attempt in their usual mannerism, to attribute their criminal activities to a third party and feign innocence; an indication of a visionless group devoid of integrity.”