The Nigerian Army has warned that it will not succumb to intimidation and propaganda by individuals or group of persons in its operations to end insurgency and other security challenges bedeviling the country.
The army said the warning had become necessary following allegations by the International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (Intersociety), that it was working with armed herdsmen and bandits to terrorise the people of the South East and Benue State.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who gave the warning in a statement issued in Abuja, urged the group to channel its energy like the Nigerian Army into nation building, rather than tearing the country apart.
Nwachukwu’s statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a libelous, spurious and derogatory narrative credited to one so called International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (Intersociety), alleging that the Nigerian military, especially the NA is working with armed herdsmen/bandits to terrorise the eastern part of the country and Benue State.
“A cursory look at the content reveals a business-as-usual pattern of propaganda by the well-known, paid jobbers and fifth columnists christened INTERSOCIETY, who after several failed attempts, still unrepentantly and shamelessly continues to dissipate its energy in mudslinging, all in a futile effort to drag the image and reputation of the NA in the mud, while promoting irredentists, lawless and outlawed organisations.
“Unfortunately, for these mischief makers, the highly patriotic and untiring effort of the Nigerian Army to neutrally defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria is visible enough and boldly seen by all and has received international accolades.
It is on this unmistakable pedigree that the NA wishes to dismiss these concoctions and evil propaganda peddled and served to unsuspecting members of the public by INTERSOCIETY, covertly sponsored by IPOB/ESN, with the singular purpose of destabilising our dear nation.”