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 failed several times in such endeavours.
The Nigerian Army has debunked a report saying its operations in the South-East region are aiding and abetting the activities of criminal herdsmen and kidnappers.
Human rights organisation, International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (INTERSOCIETY) had accused the army and other security agencies of looking away while suspected herdsmen terrorise Igbo communities.
The organisation had in the report noted that the operations of the army are only targeted at innocent and unarmed residents of the South-East region but in the name of fighting separatist groups.
Reacting to the report, a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director 82 Division Army Public Relations on Thursday in Enugu, described the allegations as malicious and unfounded.
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 activities of herdsmen and kidnappers in the Southeastern 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 failed several times 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 their commencement in terms of recovery of arms, ammunition, IED materials and fabrication workshop which was published by both mainstream and online mediums on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
“The Exercise has also halted the activities of the proscribed group, little wonder INTERSOCIETY has to come up with all these fabricated lies with no sense of balance reportage.
“It was also reported in a trending Facebook and Twitter post 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 mere propaganda aimed at dampening 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 medical outreach in the home town of the detained leader of the separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu in Afarakwu, Umuahia, Abia State.
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 been 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/Eastern Security Network, 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.”
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.