The immediate past Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdul-Rahman Dambazau (rtd), has classified the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) and the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a bunch of extremist groups in the footsteps of Boko Haram.
According to Dambazau, the extremist groups should not be entertained and every measure that can be taken to eradicate them should be taken.
He said: “The two groups have been making efforts to ignite nationwide inter-ethnic conflicts through their violent attacks on northern residents or transacting businesses in the south as a quick way to realise their dream for a divided Nigeria.
“We see parallels between Boko Haram and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) both ethnic extremist groups. All the three groups operate on the platform of extremism,”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, also added his voice as he asked all Nigerian Army training institutions to build robust and efficient capacities in order to make the army formidable and combat all security threats.
He said: “In this regard, I have directed that all Nigerian Army training institutions should build appropriate capacities and competencies that will make the Nigerian army a formidable force.
“As you are all aware, our nation has been grappling with a myriad of security challenges which includes insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across all the states of the federation.
“As daunting as these challenges may be, I strongly believe that they present opportunities for leadership, especially at the operational levels which you currently belong to.
“Therefore, I challenge you to make good use of your time at the college and imbibe knowledge to open your mind to new ideas that enhance the defence and security of our nation.”
