SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army have dismissed allegations by a retired military general that security forces are conniving with deadly attackers across Nigeria, saying such calls are inflammatory and should be disregarded.
Retired Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff from 1976-1979, had on Saturday, accused the armed forces of collusion with bandits and killers by providing cover and defending the killers.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Taraba State University, Jalingo, Danjuma, Saturday urged Nigerians to defend themselves from killers across the country instead of depending on the armed forces.
“You must rise to protect yourselves from these people. If you depend on the armed forces for protection, you will all die one by one,” said a visibly angry Danjuma.
“The ethnic cleansing must stop now. Otherwise, Somalia will be a child’s play. I ask everyone of you to be on the alert and defend your country, defend your territory, defend your state because you have nowhere else to go.
“The armed forces are not neutral. They are conniving with the armed bandits that are killing people.”
However, Tukur Gusau, a Spokesperson for the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said in a statement in response to the allegation that: “This is highly uncalled for and is invitation to anarchy and should be disregarded by well-meaning Nigerians.
“The efforts of the Nigerian military towards restoration of peace, security and order in Nigeria are evidently clear and Nigerians continue to show appreciation for changing the security environment from what it was before.
“The armed forces is well organised and highly professional in discharging its constitutional mandate. Therefore, if anyone has evidence of wrongdoing or dereliction of duty against our troops, the person should please bring forward such evidence through the channel for necessary action.
In the same vein, The Nigerian Army also issued a separate statement describing claims by Danjuma as unfair and sad coming at a time of intense military efforts to address the crisis.
“The public is notified that Nigerian Army personnel have had to pay the supreme price for ensuring the sustenance of security in Taraba State,” Army spokesperson, Texas Chukwu, said in a statement.
“For instance, a gallant non-commission officer of the Nigerian Army was beheaded on 16 March 2018 in Takum Taraba State by criminal elements,”
“It is noteworthy to state that at the inception of ‘Exercise Ayem Akpatuma’ or ‘Cat Race’ in Tiv, the Taraba State Government did not cooperate with the Nigerian Army due to the Army’s stance to remain absolutely neutral in the herdsmen-farmers crisis.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to remain as such.”
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