The Nigerian Army 81 Division has warned residents of Lagos State against joining the agitation for the creation of Biafra, adding that the military is prepared to quash any violent protest.
The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Isidore Edet, gave the warning while speaking with journalists in Lagos on Monday.
He also assured residents of security against Boko Haram and any other terrorist group.
While warning the Biafra agitators to desist from acts of violence, he said the army would do anything to protect the integrity and unity of Nigeria.
He said, “For those committing treasonable felony and arson, as well as wanton destruction of lives and property, we shall apply the Rules of Engagement to the letter.
“It is, however, hoped that such circumstances would not arise that we should be deployed in such operations, because let nobody make any mistake, within the ambit of the law, we shall apply the ROE to the letter.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) vide Section 217 (2) (c) provides that the Armed Forces of Nigeria shall suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, Commander-in-Chief.
“This provision is reinforced by Section (8) (1) and (3) of the Armed Forces Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (LFN) 2004.
“This presupposes that troops have to use necessary force to quell crisis resulting in deaths, injury and damage to property.”
Edet also said that officers and soldiers had been warned not to take sides in any conflict, adding that those found wanting would face the consequences of their actions.
“Any officer or soldier found aiding or abetting any act of arson, vandalism or unprofessional conduct, will be severely dealt with according to extant laws,’’ he said.
Edet assured Lagos residents that the army was working hard to ensure that terrorists did not succeed in Lagos.
“We cannot disclose the details yet but we are working round the clock to ensure that Boko Haram does not find a safe haven in Lagos, the South-West or any part of the country.
“There is no cause for alarm and there is no need for alarm.”
While noting that several Boko Haram suspects had been arrested in the last one month, Edet said most of them had lost the will to fight and were fleeing the North-East.
He said, “People should not worry about the influx of terrorists into Lagos or the South-West. With the heat in the North-East, most of them have lost the will to fight and are relocating to other parts of the country where they take up jobs as construction workers.
“But we have been arresting suspected Boko Haram leaders and their foot soldiers. We have been working with other security agencies and a lot of them have been arrested this past month.”
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