By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has warned South-East youths to steer clear of any enlistment in the Nigerian Army, stressing that they risk being deployed to volatile regions of the country where they would be exposed to risk of terrorist attacks.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Tuesday, IPOB alleged that the Nigerian military has a record of exhibiting ethnic bias, and more often than not, mobilising recruits from the South geopolitical zone to dangerous areas controlled by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.
The group urged the region’s youths to return home and pursue farming or other productive ventures instead of joining a system it claims has consistently marginalised soldiers from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
The statement read in part, “The global family of IPOB once more urges Biafran youths to refrain from joining the recent Nigerian Army recruitment. Before considering joining the Nigerian Army, reflect on this: ‘What has happened to those who enlisted a few years back?’ You might be astonished that numerous individuals have fallen victim to the Boko Haram violence and other terrorist organisations’ acts in the North.
“We have witnessed viral clips and reports about Nigerian soldiers fighting insurgency in the North expressing grievances over insufficient allowances, food, medical care, and equipment. These Nigerian soldiers are exploited as scapegoats in the terrorism dealings between Nigerian politicians and their Western allies.
“We also possess documentation of military barracks and police stations in Northern Nigeria being taken over by terrorists. In exchange, the Federal Government and its deadly military compensate the terrorists responsible for killing the unaware soldiers with cash, employment, and scholarships under the guise of repentant terrorists, officially incorporating them into their security forces. Unknowingly, numerous young individuals have perished in battles fueled by ongoing sponsored insurgencies.
“No Biafran youth ought to position themselves as instruments for the Federal Government, ECOWAS, and Western imperialists to be deployed against the Sahel Nations. Any Igbo youth who enlists in the Nigerian Army, ‘your name will be regrettable’. You will either be offered up to the terrorists, captured and killed by the state, or be sacrificed to the courageous Sahelian soldiers.
“In any case, you will either be killed or left with debilitating injuries. If you succeed in coming back alive, you will return in disgrace without any advantages from the Nigerian Army. Inquire of those involved in proxy wars whether they received compensation.
“Rather than joining the Nigerian Army, return to your village and pursue farming. Nigerians have consistently been unfair to their soldiers from various ethnic backgrounds.
“Simply envision your destiny as an Igbo warrior. As an indigenous Igbo individual, your achievement is seen as a risk to the Nigerian state. Your struggle against insurgency will be perceived as a conflict with the North.
“Consider this: where are the many brave young Igbo individuals who enlisted in the Nigerian Army since 2020? Numerous individuals have departed, while others are imprisoned by the Nigerian Army for seeking equality. “Be of service to Nigeria as an Igbo individual and return in disgrace.”
