- Nigerian Army says it has no knowledge of any attacks on a woman or women in Abiriba - Colonel Sagir Musa, Army Deputy Director Public Relations, 82 Division, says IPOB stage-managed the entire episode - He said all other security agencies have confirmed that the reports are false The Punch is reporting that the Nigerian Army has denied reports that it manhandled at least one woman in Abia state. The report said the Army denies arresting any woman during a meeting of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) held at Abriba, Abia state on Friday, May 19. The Army’s denial was contained in a statement released in Awka, Anambra state on Saturday, May 20.
Colonel Sagir Musa, Army Deputy Director Public Relations, 82 Division, described claim by IPOB that its female supporters were attacked and molested by soldiers and other security agencies as false. He accused the IPOB of stage- managing the protest for cheap propaganda. He said: “Let me make it clear that the drama and the allegation that followed were deliberately staged by IPOB. The allegation, just like others before it, is false, sheer IPOB’s propaganda to discredit the Nigerian Army, which at the moment, they will not succeed. “Hence, I was able to confirm from the Officer in Charge of the patrol of Abiriba and its environs, Major Danjuma Ali and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Abiriba, Superintendent Titus Ugwuoke who briefed me, there was no truth in the IPOB’s accusation.” The video showed women in the state chanting at the top of their voices. According to Facebook user, Chukwuebuka Idoko, the women who were part of the Biafran women conference held in Abiriba, Abia state were chased from the stadium which they used as venue, by soldiers. The women in turn went on protest against the actions of the soldiers, with some of the women going unclad to protest.