(on 30 May 2017), IPOB’s foot soldiers and louts barricaded parts of Umuahia – Aba – Port Harcourt express way, vandalized the few vehicles they encountered, and enforced closure of markets and other businesses in different locations across the SE, the intention was to lure the NA into serious clashes.
“Also, between 29 -30 May 2017, there were claims on the pages of newspapers and social media platforms, baseless as they seemed, – all arranged by MASSOB/IPOB to malign the image of the NA.
“For instance, an old video clip of about 7 years old (shows some army personnel allegedly maltreating civilians), suddenly resurfaced on social media, – insinuating that NA troops tortured secessionist agitators in Onitsha on the 30 May 2017. Allegations of shootings of IPOB’s members in Aba and Umuahia during a procession in honour of “Biafran heroes and heroines”, and the plan by the army to arrest Nnamdi Kanu were simultaneously churned out to the public wipth the major aim of courting local and international attention/sympathy at the detriment of the NA.
Also, the claimed presence of ‘International observers and mediators’ allegedly primed to observe, document and condemn the assumed/expected human rights violations by the NA.
“But, the NA under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, and the 82 Division (in charge of the SE) under a seasoned and fair-minded Military Police cum Infantry General – Major General Adamu Abubakar is/are evidently, progressively, professionally and successfully responding not only to the myriad of crisis and challenges of security across the region, but also engage/s on a robust training of troops on protection of civilians and respect for human rights in and out of conflict situations.
“Hence, unknown to MASSOB/IPOB and their local and international cohorts/supporters, the NA’s strategic leadership, in its astuteness, dynamism and foresight, had issued a ‘segmented directives’ that formations and units in the SE, should in conjunction with other security agencies, immediately, concurrently, commence Show Of Force in their respective Areas Of Responsibilities on Saturday 27 to the evening of Monday 29 May 2017.
“The aim of such exercise has been achieved, – as there was not a single life that was lost and
