Nigerian Army Condemns Torture of Ex-Soldier by IPOB

The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned the torture of retired Corporal Toriola Adewale by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). A video showing the brutal treatment of the ex-soldier was recently circulated by Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of IPOB.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, addressed the disturbing footage. He explained that the video showed members of IPOB’s armed wing, the Biafra Liberation Army, subjecting the retired soldier to severe torture. Adewale, who left the Nigerian Army six years ago, was also coerced into recording messages aimed at encouraging active military personnel to abandon their duties.

“This defenseless citizen was forced to falsely claim he was treated well during his captivity,” said Major-General Nwachukwu. He further emphasized that IPOB’s portrayal of Adewale as an active-duty soldier is false, calling it an attempt to justify their inhumane actions.

The Army’s statement urged Nigerians to disregard the video, labeling it as malicious propaganda. It also called for international condemnation of IPOB’s actions and urged bodies like Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court to hold Simon Ekpa and his associates accountable.

Major-General Nwachukwu noted that the majority of Nigerians, particularly in the Southeast, have rejected IPOB’s extremist views. He reiterated that the Nigerian military, in collaboration with other security agencies, has ramped up efforts to combat terrorism in the region, with significant success in neutralizing key terrorist leaders.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting both active and retired personnel from acts of terror, with Nwachukwu warning that justice will soon catch up with those responsible for such atrocities.

“Simon Ekpa and his accomplices can run, but they cannot hide forever,” he concluded.