The Nigerian Army has denied claims of engaging in mass killings in the South East region of the country, The Courage.
According to the service, the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, accused the troops of killing innocent citizens in the South East and dumping their corpses in the river.
However, the Army in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday, said the allegations were unfounded.
He also noted that the video uploaded by Ekpa to substantiate his claims was done to incite the citizens against the troops.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Army has noted with dismay, a mischievous and systematic campaign of calumny by Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafran terrorists’ group.
“The self-acclaimed leader through spurious and unfounded claims raised alarm on a viral video alleging that troops of the NA are carrying out a mass killing of innocent Igbos at a river and dumping them in the water. The report also contained some unimaginable and not well-couched falsehoods targeted at whipping up negative sentiments against troops and inciting anarchy in the South East region. ”
Onyema explained that the troops in the video by Ekpa are not personnel of the Nigerian Army.
He stated that the personnel in the video are from the Nigerian Navy who engaged in a routine test firing of a weapon system mounted on a vehicle to ensure the safety of other road users and commuters along the route.
“Contrary to the falsehood being spread from the devious propaganda machinery of the desperate and self-serving terrorists’ leader, the NA wishes to state that it has conducted a comprehensive investigation on the allegations made by Simon Ekpa and his associates.
“Accordingly, we wish to categorically refute these baseless claims by throwing more light on the occurrence. In the first instance, the troops in the video footage are not personnel of the Nigerian Army, as the insignia visible on their berets identifies them as personnel of the Nigerian Navy, who were engaged in a routine test firing of a weapon system mounted on a vehicle and to ensure the safety of other road users and commuters, the troops took precautionary measures by temporarily halting vehicular movement along the route until the test firing was safely concluded, ” the statement added.
Onyema said findings by the service revealed that the incident was in the South West as against the South East region being claimed by Ekpa.
He said, “Observers were also kept at a safe distance, maintaining transparency and prioritising the safety of all involved.
Additionally, preliminary findings also indicate that the occurrence took place in the Southwest region of the country and not the Southeast as advertently portrayed by the false alarmists and propagandists.
“Furthermore, it was observed that there was no evidence to support the assertion that individuals were being shot at, in the river, nor have there been any report from local communities regarding the discovery of corpses in the area.”
He, however, urged the citizens to disregard the claims by Ekpa.
Onyema said, “Consequently, the NA wishes to enjoin the public to disregard the unfounded claims and irredeemable falsehood being propagated by Simon Ekpa and his associates, whose apparent objective is to disseminate misinformation and incite unrest.
“The NA and indeed sister services and other security agencies remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining peace and order, ensuring the safety and security of all citizens in the country. The Nigerian Army is vigilant and prepared to counter any attempt to destabilise the Southeast region.” It was reports that in March 2024, Ekpa was among the 97 individuals declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters for his alleged involvement in violent crimes in the southeast region.
