The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned the torture of retired Corporal Toriola Adewale by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This condemnation was issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu revealed that a video of the torture, circulated by IPOB’s self-acclaimed Prime Minister Simon Ekpa, shows Adewale being subjected to brutal treatment. The retired soldier, who left the Nigerian Army six years ago, was reportedly forced to deliver messages urging active military personnel to abandon their duties.
The statement clarifies that Adewale’s claim of being treated well while in captivity was made under duress and refutes IPOB’s assertion that he is still an active member of the Nigerian Army. The Army denounced the video as propaganda intended to justify the mistreatment of an unarmed citizen who served his country honorably.
The Army called on the international community to strongly condemn these dehumanizing acts. It urged Nigerians to disregard the malicious video and unite against IPOB’s terrorist actions, particularly in the South East. The Nigerian military, working with other security agencies, has intensified efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency in the region.
Nwachukwu emphasized the need for international organizations, such as Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court, to hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB members accountable for their crimes. He assured that the Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting all citizens, including retired personnel, from terrorism and that justice will ultimately prevail against those responsible for these heinous acts.