In his first address since receiving medical treatment in London, Nigeria's president, Muhammadu Buhari reiterated his stance that unity was "not negotiable", reiterating his determination to defeat separatist fighters.
“I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media, have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation,” Mr Buhari said in a televised address on Saturday.
“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble,” he said, stating that ethnic violence was “fuelled by political mischief makers."
Nigeria faces calls for secession from Biafra fighters in the south-east as well as Boko Haram fighters in the north.