ARMY, DEFENCE MINISTER CRITICIZE DANJUMA

It was previously reported that former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (Retd), made a controversial statement calling on 

people of Taraba State and Nigerians in general to take up arms and defend themselves against killings by herdsmen and that the military was conniving with herdsmen to kill Nigerians, which he further described as ethnic cleansing. He said this while speaking at the maiden convocation and 10^th anniversary celebration of Taraba State University on Saturday.

He Said:

The armed force are not neutral, they collude with the armed bandits. They facilitate their movement, they cover them. We must resist it. We must stop it. Every one of us must rise.
If you are depending on the armed forces to stop the killings, you will die one by one. This ethnic cleansing must stop in Taraba State. It must stop in all the states of Nigeria, otherwise Somalia would be a child’s play.”

His call was supported by some Nigerians and groups, including Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Senator Shehu Sani, former Minister of Steel, Paul Unonog, the Yoruba Socio-political and cultural group, Atenifere indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, movement for Actulization of the Sovereiogn State of Biafra (MASSOB and Ohanaeze youth Council, among others.

However, according to Vanguard reports, the Defence Minister, Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali and the Director, Army Public Relation,  Brigadier General Texas Chukwu  has criticized the former Chief of Army Staff over the statement he made. He described Danjuma’s statement as “an invitation to anarchy. It was unfortunate that the elder statesman could make such a statement at a time it was struggling to hold the nation together.

He said:

“The efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces towards restoration of Peace, security and order in Nigeria continue to receive appreciation or changing the security environment from what it was before. The Nigerian armed Forces are well, organized and highly professional in discharging its constitutional mandate. Therefore, if anyone has evidence of wrongdoings or dereliction of duty against our troops, they should please bring forward such evidence through appropriate channels for necessary action.
For avoidance of doubt, the military will not be distracted from performing its statutory duties in accordance with the rules of engagement.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu said:

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the unfortunate statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff. Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma., during the convocation ceremony of Taraba State University on Saturday, March 24, 2018, in which he categorically asserted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was colluding with militias and other criminal elements and unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State. He further called on the people of Taraba State to take up arms and defend themselves. The Nigerian Army views this statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff as most unfortunate at this critical time that the military has embarked upon demilitarization of the North Cental region of the country.While Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the elder statesman, however, certain facts need to be clearly stated in the interst of Taraba People and NIgerian Public.
The Nigerian Army is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to aid civil authority whenever called upon to do so.
In this regard operation Ex-Ayem Akpatuma and troops deployed to curb menace of herdsmen/farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North central among others.
It is on record that the success so far recorded in Ex-Ayem Akpatuma have been recognized and accepted by Nigerians.
The public is notified that Nigeria Army Personnel have had to pay the supreme price for ensuring the sustenance of security in Taraba state. For instance a gallant non-commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army was beheaded on March 16, 2018 in Takum, Taraba Syaye by criminal elements.”It is noteworthy to state that at the start of Ex_Ayem Akpatuma, Taraba State Government did not cooperate with the Nigerian Army due to the Army’s stance to remain absolutely neutral in the herdsmen / farmers crises. The Nigerian Army will continue to remain as such.
For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army advises the people of Taraba State and indeed all Nigerians to continue in their day to day activities and be law abiding as anyone caught with arms and ammunition will be death with in accordance with the laws of the land.
Every law abiding citizen is assured of equal protection and security of lives and property irrespective of his or her person."

Also Shehu Sani and Fayose says, “the General Danjuma’s outburst should be enough warning to President Buhari that it is time to go back to Daura  and also that the nation is tip toeing through a minefield."

Similarly rights activist Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor said, “For somebody like Danjuma who is not known to talk carelessly like other politicians to warn us, it means that the situation is very worrisome.”

Also IPOB , MASSOB AND Ohaneze Youths supported the position of Danjuma on self-defence, saying marauding herdsmen were political terrorists out to destroy the middle belt , south east, south south which must be resisted.

The opposition part PDP said the call by General Danjuma (Retd) is yet another testimony of the tragic situation which the failure of  Buhari’s president and the APC have dragged the nation since their assumption of office