PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has broke his silence over the ongoing secessionist protests being organised by supporters of the defunct Biafran republic insisting that Nigeria's indivisibility is non-negotiable and the country will remain united.
Over the last two weeks, Biafran advocates have been organising demonstrations up and down the country calling for the cantonisation of Nigeria. Their protests were sparked by the arrest of Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu who was apprehended by security agents during a visit from the UK.
Biafran advocates have been campaigning for the short-lived republic that existed between 1967 and 1970 but collapsed with the victory of federal forces during the Nigerian Civil War. Responding to their call for the tearing of Nigeria up into fragmented pieces, President Buhari said that the country has remained as one despite the challenges of internal strife and civil war it had suffered over the last 55 years.
Speaking while launching the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund in Abuja, President Buhari said the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes, heroines and veterans who stood up to confront the security challenges the country has faced cannot be forgotten. He added that the occasion should be a reminder of the need to appreciate the noble contributions of our fallen heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice to maintain national and international peace and security.
President Buhari said: “Our nation has recently celebrated 55 years of political independence and continues to remain as one indivisible entity despite several grievous challenges. Since independence, Nigeria has witnessed a lot of internal strife, survived a civil war and has remained united.
"This feat achieved by the country is an eloquent testimony to the determination of our citizens to remain as one people. We are gathered here today to observe a worthy tradition of acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and accomplishments of our veterans in the first and second world wars, peace support operations around the world, and internal security operations particularly the ongoing campaign against terrorism in our country.”
He noted that with the ongoing insurgency in parts of the country, Nigeria is facing one of its most trying times, adding that the theme of this years’ Armed Forces Remembrance Day Motivating the Nigerian Armed Forces for Effective Service Delivery, was very apt for the current realities. President Buhari also gave kudos to the armed forces for their display of courage and sacrifices, commitment and loyalty to Nigeria that they have shown in the war against terrorism, oil theft and piracy in some parts of the country.
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