Civil war: Why Buhari must apologize to Igbo – Ohanaeze

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to apologize to the Igbo over his recent comment that Nigerian troops were lenient to Biafran troops and Easterners during the Civil War.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday said the Nigerian Army was soft on Biafrans during the Civil War.

This, Buhari said, was because the then head of state, Yakubu Gowon, issued strict instruction to the army that Biafrans were not enemies but “brothers and sisters of the rest of Nigerians”.

Reacting for the first time, Ohanaeze said the comment was highly uncalled for in a multi-ethnic society.

According to a statement signed by Hon Chuks Ibegbu, spokesman of Ohanaeze, “the war ended fifty years ago and for a participant in the war to make such a comment shows that the war is still on in another way. It is highly regrettable.

“Of course, there is no evidence of factuality in President’s claims. The clear case of genocide in Asaba, Umuohiagu, Ozu Abam, Aba, Otuocha among other centres of horror in the war belies Mr President’s claims of the observance of the Rule of Engagement during the war.

“The perpetrators of war crimes in the Second World War and in Rwanda are still under trial and nothing stops the same measure on any Nigerian soldier that committed war crimes in the past or exra-judicial killing today.

“The president must therefore apologize to Igbos and Easterners for that unpresidential comment.”

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