By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

The Nigerian Army has debunked “a malicious and unfounded allegation from a South-East-based non-government organisation, International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (INTERSOCIETY), against its internal security operations in the South-East”.

This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations on Wednesday in Enugu.

Unuakhalu noted that the attention of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army had been drawn to a libellous and diminishing narrative attributed to INTERSOCIETY, alleging that the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division is aiding and abetting the criminal activities of herdsmen and kidnappers in the South Eastern part of the country.

According to him, a look at the write up shows a business-as-usual pattern of propaganda by the well-known fifth columnists, who have severally failed in such endeavours.

“Despite the serial failures, these groups are still unrepentant and shamelessly continue in mudslinging, all in a futile effort to drag the image and reputation of the Division in the mud, while promoting irredentists, lawless and outlawed organisations.

“In the said publication, it claimed that Ex GOLDEN DAWN II has gone deaf and dumb.

“However on the contrary, Ex GOLDEN DAWN II AND STILL WATERS II have achieved many successes since its commencement in terms of recovery of arms, ammunition, IED materials and fabrication workshop which was published by both mainstream and online medium on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.

“The Exercise has also halted the activities of the proscribed group, little wonder INTERSOCIETY has to come up with all this fabricated lies with no sense of balanced reportage.

“It was also reported in a trending Facebook and twitter posts that the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division was posted from Kaduna to Enugu. This is just a figment of the writer’s imagination as the General Officer Commanding was posted from 81 Division, Lagos, and has at no time been in Kaduna,” he said.

The army spokesman noted that “the Nigerian Army does not operate based on ethnicity and tribal sentiments, it is a professional Army that has sworn to uphold the integrity and sanctity of our dear nation”.

He said the writer or author of the trending internet publication failed to give evidence to prove the allegations against the General Officer Commanding which makes it a mere propaganda aimed at damping the morale of troops on successes achieved so far and to further create panic in the South-East region.

The army spokesman recalled that the 82 Division recently carried out a medical outreach in the home town of Nnamdi Kanu in Afarakwu, Umuahia, Abia State, and the so-called INTERSOCIETY was not aware of it.

He noted that it was quite unfortunate that a civil society that is meant to protect the sanctity of the public could be used by a proscribed group for propaganda and misinforming the general public with unfounded and biased narratives.

“It is also important to note that Enugu State is one of the most peaceful states in the South-East so it is surprising that all these allegations are targeted at Enugu which is a direct pointer to creating fear among the populace.

“It is on this premise that the 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to dismiss this evil propaganda being peddled in the said publication and served to unsuspecting members of the public by INTERSOCIETY.

“It is obvious that INTERSOCIETY is bent on furthering the activities and aim of IPOB/ESN, with the singular purpose of destabilising our nation.

“It is pertinent to note that the Division conducts its operations within the ambit of the law and in consonant with the global best practices in regards to the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct guiding all its operations.

“The Division, for avoidance of doubt, restates that it remains a professional institution saddled with the responsibility to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“Furthermore, it will never be distracted by mischief makers, who find pleasure in blackmailing the institution in order to satisfy the interest of fifth columnists, in their unrelenting effort to destabilise the nation,” he said.

He added that the Division would continue to count on the support of the general public, as it continues to carry out its constitutional mandate to defend and restore sanity and peace in all troubled parts of the South-East region. (NAN)

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