The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned the dehumanizing treatment of an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Biafra Liberation Army.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday signed by Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.
A disturbing video circulating online shows Toriola being brutally tortured and forced to deliver coerced messages to active military personnel.
The Army described the actions of IPOB as “outrageous propaganda” and “savagely mistreatment” of an unarmed, law-abiding citizen who served his country meritoriously. The claim by IPOB that Toriola is still serving in the Nigerian Army is false, as he honourably retired six years ago.
The Nigerian Army urged Nigerians to disregard the malicious video and stand united against terrorism. The military has intensified operations to eradicate terrorism and insurgency in the Southeast and other parts of the country, recently annihilating key terrorist leaders.
The Army called on international organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court, to hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB terrorist elements accountable for these heinous crimes.
The Nigerian Army said it remains committed to protecting all Nigerians from terror, and justice will soon catch up with the perpetrators.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Army has taken serious note of a disturbing video circulating online, posted by the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of IPOB, Simon Ekpa. In the appalling footage, an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, who honourably retired from the Nigerian Army six years ago, was obviously subjected to brutal torture by the so called IPOB/ Biafra Liberation Army.
“He was also forced to deliver coerced messages to active military personnel, urging them to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities and abandon their duties. This defenceless citizen was further compelled to falsely claim he was treated well while being held captive.
“It must be unequivocally stated that the claim by IPOB and its terrorist leader that ex-corporal Toriola is still serving in the Nigerian Army is far from the truth. This outrageous propaganda by IPOB terrorist group is undoubtedly an attempt to justify their savagely mistreatment of an unarmed, law-abiding citizen who served his country meritoriously.
“Such dehumanizing acts must be condemned in the strongest terms by the international community.
“The Nigerian Army therefore urges all Nigerians to disregard this malicious video and stand united against the vile acts of terrorism perpetrated against Nigerians, and particularly, the good and law-abiding people of South East Nigeria by IPOB terrorists.
“It is no gainsaying that an overwhelming majority of Nigerians in the South East and across the nation have already rejected the criminal propaganda spread by IPOB.
“In response to these threats, the Nigerian military, in close collaboration with other security agencies, has recently intensified operations aimed at eradicating terrorism and insurgency in the Southeast and other parts of the country. The recent annihilation of key terrorist leaders in identified terrorists’ strongholds is clearly indicative of this commitment.
“The savage treatment of innocent citizens like ex-corporal Toriola and other law-abiding Nigerians must not be teated with levity. We call on all relevant international organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court, to take immediate action and hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB terrorist elements accountable for these heinous crimes.
‘The Nigerian Army will remain steadfast in protecting all Nigerians, including its retired and active personnel from such terror. The villainous acts of terror by Simon Ekpa and his accomplices must come to an end, as justice will soon catch up with them. They can run, but they can not hide forever.”
