Army did not declare group a terrorist organisation - Buratai

chika ebuzor

September 19, 2017 12:08 AM

The Army chief said this during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Tukur Burtai has said that the Army did not declare the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terror group.

This is coming after the Senate President, Bukola Saraki condemned the categorisation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian Army/

The Senate President, according to reports, also described the declaration as unconstitutional.

Buratai, who said the Army’s action gave room for the right steps to be taken, argued that the Defence Headquarters only made a pronouncement.

The COAS also said that the soldiers will abide by the rule of law while carrying out Operation Python Dance II in the South-East.

Buratai said “You have to get it very clear. First of all, what the Defence Headquarters did was to make pronouncement. It wasn’t a declaration per se. But this has given room for the right step to be taken. I think the government is doing the right thing.

“It is not that we are overstepping our bounds. We are still within the limits. And I ensure you that what the military said was to set the ball rolling and to bring the awareness to the public that this is what this organization is all about. I’m happy that the government has done the right thing right now.

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“They army have taken into cognizance the security of the people in deployment of its personnel for the operation.

“The army is very sensitive to the cultural norms of the people and will abide by all the rules of engagement and code of conduct that have been laid down which is quite in tandem with the Constitution.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Emma Powerful has alleged that the Army might have killed Nnamdi Kanu.

chika ebuzor