by Alexander O. Onukwue
The Nigerian Army declared IPOB a terrorist organisation last week and was criticized by virtually everybody. The move to proscribe a group as terrorist is usually the duty of the Executive, through a legal and transparent process. It has been reported that President Muhammdu Buhari has signed a document to the effect of that, but special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, can neither confirm nor denounce this.
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, while speaking at the opening of the Third Quarter Nigerian Army Conference in Abuja, said it was the duty of the executive to call for the arrest of the IPOB leader. The Army has been accused of capturing Mr Kanu or possibly having killed him in the midst of a purported raid on Kanu’s Umuahia residence. Buratai mentioned nothing in that direction while sharing his thoughts on Kanu on Monday, 19th September.
What appears to be on his mind is that the Army would be willing to engage in a mission that could lead to the apprehension of Kanu under the guise of terrorism. “There are guidelines provided in the Anti-Terrorism Act; So, I’m sure the relevant government agencies and authorities will take steps whether to arrest or to take any other action (against Kanu)” Buratai is quoted as saying according to Channels TV”.
Having declared the group IPOB as terrorist, will the Army feel the need to nudge the Government towards placing a warrant for the arrest of Kanu, the leader of the separatist movement?
“The Federal Government will take the final decision on that” says Buratai.
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