The Nigerian Army has temporarily relocated the tactical headquarters of its 14 Brigade headquarters from Ohafia to Aba.
Thr development is aimed at curbing the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other violent crimes.
The Commanding Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brig. Gen. Lawrence Fejoku, told newsmen yesterday during his maiden visit to 144 Brigade located in Asa, Ukwa West local Government Area.
He explained that the relocation follows approval of the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu.
Fejoku denied that the military shot and killed 22 pro-Biafran agitators during their prayer session last week in Aba.
He said: “We did our investigations and we can assure you that the military did not hack down members of MASSOB and IPOB.”
“I resumed command of the 14 Brigade about four weeks ago, and within this period I have been going round my locations to familiarise myself with my men and to know the terrain.
“For now, my decision is that Aba has continued to be a hotspot, essentially because of kidnapping and other sundry crimes and the activities of members of MASSOB and IPOB.
“To that effect, I have decided, after due clearance from my boss based in Enugu, to relocate my tactical headquarters from Ohafia to Aba to see how far we can go in trying to curb this menace.
“So I wish to urge the members of the MASSOB and IPOB to rescind their decision to resort to carrying weapons, to stop acts of violence and channel their grievances to appropriate authorities using appropriate communication channels.”
He called non-military options like dialogue to engage with the groups in order to restore peace in Abia State.
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