The Nigerian Army has lamented the dehumanisation of its officer who is in the custody of her abductors. It has, also, without concrete evidence, alleged that the ordeal of the officer is the handiwork of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN. There has been no response from IPOB/ESN both of which have constantly denied complicity in such incidents which paint the Igbo in unflattering colours.
The officer, Lt PP Jonnson was kidnapped on 26th December, 2022, in Aku, Okigwe, Imo State, on her way to visit her grandmother after her cadet training. It is not confirmed, yet, if she wore her Army uniform, on the trip, in order to show her grandmother who was to see her in it for the first time.
A video of Jonnson, stripped naked, soon surfaced, obviously videod and released by her abductors. A male voice, in the video gave an inkling to their location, and threatened that they would kill her the same way they would kill any Biafran in the Military or Police. He said they would be killed one by one, and identified themselves as neither members of IPOB, nor ESN. They said they were just unknown gunmen fighting for the actualization of the Biafran Republic.
On Thursday, 29th December, the story of the officer’s rescue by the Army and the Department of State Services, DSS, surfaced to the joy of many people, especially, the Igbo who were embarrassed by her abduction and dehumanisation.
But on Friday, the Army debunked the story of any such rescue or release.
In a statement, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Information, confirmed Jonnson’s abduction. He also confirmed that she was abducted at Aku-Okigwe, Imo State, on her way to visit her grandmother.
Said Nwachukwu: “The Officer’s circumstance as a woman, and a Nigerian citizen of South-eastern extraction did not dissuade her abductors from dehumanising her in their mindless attempt to commit atrocities under the guise of fighting for Biafra.
“This, evidently, is another pointer to the myriad of crimes being unleashed by IPOB/ESN on Ndigbo, the very people they claim to be fighting for their emancipation.
“It should, therefore, be crystal clear to those who are still in doubt of the true status of these groups that IPOB and ESN are terrorists.
“They are masquerading as freedom fighters, and do not deserve the support of anyone, especially, the good people of South-east, Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army states that the information making the rounds that Lt Jonnson has been released, or rescued from her abductors is unsubstantiated as the officer is yet to be released or rescued.”
The video purporting her rescue, Nwachukwu said, is an old video of the arrest of a suspect.
He said: ” Much as we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the general public for her safe rescue, we also wish to note that the information on the rescue of the officer did not emanate from the Nigerian Army.
He, however, assured that: “The Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in its effort to rescue the officer and bring the perpetrators to book.
The Army appealed to Imo people, whose daughter the officer is, to provide credible information that could lead to her rescue.
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