Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Col. Hamza Gambo in a statement declared that he 82 Division of the Nigerian Army is ready to suppress insurrection in the South East and South South geopolitical zones whenever it was called upon to do so.
He made this revelation due to “the marked increase in the activities of pro-Biafran groups’’ in the areas.
Gambo also went ahead to enumerate the activities to include protest marches, demonstrations and some cases of outright lawlessness and threat to lives and properties.
“The truism of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is not contestable particularly as it is guaranteed by the constitution.
“Instructively, this constitutional guarantee does not allow for abuse of other person’s freedom and safety.
“It is pertinent to note that the same constitution mandates the armed forces of Nigeria to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so.
“To this end, if and when the Nigerian Army is called upon to play its legally mandated role, it shall do so with utmost sense of duty and responsibility to the nation,’’ he said.
The spokesman stressed that the army would act within its rules of engagement and called on law-abiding citizens to go about their normal activities.
