President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his earlier stand to quash members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and their associate militant body, the Eastern Security Network, ESN noting that the agitation of the group does not represent the view of Igbo people.
The president, stated this on Arise Television, while answering questions on varying pressing national issues. Buhari who said he has spoken with some prominent persons from the South East added that the only way to stop the spate of violence in the region is to stop IPOB.
Buhari said their is now way out for IPOB members as he has directed security agencies, particularly Army and the police to take them out.
According to him, his government will not allow any secessionists elements to divide the country, as he will do everything in his power to ensure that south east did not break away from Nigeria.
Buhari said ”IPOB is like a dot in a circle, if they want to exist, they’ll have no access to anywhere. And the way they are spread all over the country, having business and property, I think IPOB doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Anyway, we’ve said we’ll talk to them in the language they understand, we’ll organise the police and military to pursue them, that’s what we can do and we’ll do it.”
President Buhari had earlier received wide condemnation after he said on Twitter that IPOB members will be dealt with same way the Nigerian government prosecuted the Civil war with Biafra Secessionists in the war that lasted between 1976 and 1970.
His comment which has now become a spat between his government and Twitter after it was deleted from the site has received local and internati0onal condemnation. The US based social media blogging site said it deleted the tweet because it violated its community rules.
The US, EU, and Canada released a joint statement criticizing the administration for banning twitter.
The Missions said “The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America convey our disappointment over the Government of Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media.
“We strongly support the fundamental human right of free expression and access to information as a pillar of democracy in Nigeria as around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline.
“Banning systems of expression is not the answer. These measures inhibit access to information and commerce at precisely the moment when Nigeria needs to foster inclusive dialogue and expression of opinions, as well as share vital information in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less, communication to accompany the concerted efforts of Nigeria’s citizens in fulsome dialogue toward unity, peace and prosperity.”
Buhari had referenced his role as a brigade major during the bitter 1967 Biafra war, when an attempted secession for an independent state sparked one of the darkest chapters in Nigerian history. Nigeria’s military was widely accused of potential war crimes and abuses, and millions of people died from hunger and malnourishment after a government-backed blockade was imposed by the army.
“Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Biafra war. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.
“I think we have given them enough latitude. They have made their case, they just wanted to destroy the country,” he said, appearing to reference secessionist agitators. Whoever wanted diversion or destruction of the system at this point, I think will soon have the shock of their lives,” Buhari tweeted.
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