The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai says the Defence Headquarters did not declare the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB a terrorist organization in the country. The Army Chief said this while speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki in Ebonyi state today September 18th.

According to the Army Chief, what the Defence Headquarters did was a pronouncement on IPOB and that the statement by the defence headquarters gave room for the Federal government to take the right steps against the secessionist group. He stressed that the military has not over overstepped its boundaries which is the protection of lives and properties in the country.

“You have to get it very clear. First of all, what the Defence Headquarters did was to make pronouncement. It wasn’t a declaration per se. But this has given room for the right step to be taken. I think the government is doing the right thing” he said

Last Friday, the Director Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, released a statement in which he said that after serious analysis, the Armed Forces confirms IPOB to be a militant terrorist organization.

“From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group. The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property” the statement in part read