The Nigerian Army, on Monday, decried
alleged attack on security agents, including
military personnel by members of the
Movement for the Actualization of the
Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, in
Onitsha, Anambra State.
In a statement made available to DAILY POST
by colonel H. A GAMBO, the Deputy Director
Army Public Relation of the 82 Division,
Nigerian Army, he said several soldiers were
wounded in attack.
The statement read: “The attention of the
general public is hereby drawn to the
unwarranted attack that was launched by
combined members of the Movement for
Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra
(MASSOB) and the Indigenous Peoples of
Biafra (IPOB) against the peace loving
populace as well as security agencies at
about 0415 hours on 30 May 2016.
“This attack was purported to have been
orchestrated in order to mar the first
anniversary of the present democratic
government as part of the activities
earmarked to celebrate the 50th Anniversary
of Biafra.
“Due to the wide spread panic, tension and
apprehension that generated from the
activities of the MASSOB and IPOB members,
security agencies which comprised of
detachment of Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police,
Department of State Service, National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency were compelled to
intervene in consonance with constitutional
provisions of aid to civil authority where and
when such occasion demands. The over
arching imperative to ensure a reign of peace,
security and stability in this circumstance
was most starring.
“However, the MASSOB/IPOB members who
had earlier assembled at a school location on
Ataa Road near Saint Edmunds’ Catholic
Parish Maryland Nkpor-Agu in Anambra State
resorted to fierce attack against the
intervening security agencies who were
carrying out their legitimate mandate.
“The nature of this attack involved brazen
employment of various types of fire arms and
all sorts of crude weapons, volatile cocktail
such as acid and dynamites.
“Instructively, troops of 82 Division Nigerian
Army as the lead agency of the security
agencies had to invoke the extant Rules of
Engagement (ROE) to resort to self defence,
protection of the strategic Niger Bridge,
prevent re-enforcement of the pro Biafran
members apparently surging ahead from the
far side of the strategic Niger Bridge at
Onitsha. All these efforts were in order to de-
escalate the palpable tension as well as ward
off the apparent threats to lives and property
in the general area.
“In the aftermath of the fire fight that ensued,
many of own troops sustained varying
degrees of injury. These injured troops are
currently receiving treatment at our medical
centre. Similarly, 5 members of MASSOB/
IPOB were killed, 8 wounded while 9 were
arrested for due legal actions.
“This unfortunate incident notwithstanding,
82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to assure
all of its professional commitment to the
protection of lives and property of the good
people of Anambra State and indeed across
its entire Area of Responsibility in tandem
with the recent directive of the President and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the
Chief of Defence Staff to the Chief of Army
Staff to avert occurrences of such
unwarranted and uncivilized attacks against
the good and law abiding people of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria. “.... #DAILYPOST
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