The Nigerian Army has categorically denied allegations of mass killings by its troops in the South-East region of Nigeria, dismissing the assertions as baseless and unfounded.
The rebuttal comes in response to claims made by Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), regarding purported atrocities committed by military personnel.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, refuted Ekpa’s allegations, which had circulated widely on social media platforms. General Nwachukwu clarified that following a thorough investigation, the Nigerian Army found no substantiating evidence to support the claims of mass killings.
Additionally, General Nwachukwu clarified that the individuals depicted in the video footage referenced by Ekpa were personnel of the Nigerian Navy, not the Army.
He explained that the footage captured routine test firing exercises of a weapon system, contrary to the claims of mass killings.
Ekpa’s viral video had alleged that Nigerian Army troops were engaged in the mass killing of innocent Igbo people, with bodies purportedly dumped in a river. However, General Nwachukwu clarified that the incident in question occurred in the South-West zone, not the South-East, and emphasized that there was no evidence of individuals being shot or killed in the river.
The Nigerian Army’s statement comes in the wake of heightened tensions in the South-East, following reports of violence and clashes between security forces and non-state actors, particularly members of IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Last Thursday, five soldiers were reportedly gruesomely murdered in Abia State by ESN operatives enforcing a sit-at-home order.
While condemning the soldiers’ killing, both the President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, distanced themselves from the incident.
The military has vowed to take decisive action in response to the attack, underscoring the precarious security situation in the region.
As tensions persist, the Nigerian Army’s denial of mass killing allegations aims to quell misinformation and maintain public confidence in its operations.