The Nigerian Army has dismissed report of the rescue of Lieutenant P.P. Johnson, a female officer, who was abducted on Monday, December 26, 2022 by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday, said she was abducted while visiting her grandmother in Aku-Okigwe in Imo State, shortly after completion of her Cadet training and subsequent commissioning as a Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army.
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A video footage of her abduction had emerged on the social media where her abductors claimed her abduction was in line with their fight for Biafra against the Nigerian State.
The Army spokesman said the information making the rounds was unsubstantiated as the officer was yet to be released or rescued from her abductors.
The statement added that the video footage being circulated and associated with the rescue claim was an old video of the arrest of a suspect earlier effected by troops.
“Much as we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the general public for her safe rescue, we also wish to note that the information on the rescue of the officer did not emanate from the NA.
“The Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in its effort to rescue the officer and bring the perpetrators to book. We appeal to the general public to provide credible and reliable information that could lead to her safe rescue and arrest of the perpetrators,” he said.
Nwachukwu said the officer’s circumstance as a woman and a Nigerian citizen of South Eastern extraction did not dissuade her abductors from dehumanizing her in their mindless attempt to commit atrocities under the guise of fighting for Biafra.
“This evidently is another pointer to the myriads of crimes being unleashed by IPOB/ ESN on Ndigbo, the very people they claim to be fighting for their emancipation.
“It should therefore be crystal clear to those who are still in doubt of the true status of these groups, that IPOB/ESN are terrorists, masquerading as freedom fighters and do not deserve the support of anyone particularly the good people of South East Nigeria,” he added.