Fulani herdsmen attacks: Danjuma’s call an invitation to anarchy ---Defence Minister

By -
*Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali

(Nigeria) Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali has said that the call by elder statesman and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Danjuma (retd), to the people of Taraba State to take up arms and defend themselves in the face of Fulani herdsmen killings, is an invitation to anarchy.
The Defence Minister in a statement entitled ‘Re-Armed Forces collude with bandits to kill people’, said, “A recent comment by one of the nation’s elder statesman alleging that the Nigerian Military collude with bandits to kill people and therefore, calling on them to rise and defend themselves outside constitutional provisions; this is highly uncalled for and is an invitation to anarchy and should be disregarded by well-meaning Nigerians.
“The efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces towards restoration of peace, security and order in Nigerians continue to receive appreciation to changing the security environment from what it was before.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces is well organized and highly professional in discharging its constitutional mandate. Therefore if anyone has evidence of wrongdoings or dereliction of duty against our troops, he 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.
“Similarly, reacting to the accusation, the Nigerian Army in a statement on the ‘Alleged Collusion with Militias/Criminals, made by Former Chief of Army Staff’ said, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the unfortunate statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Danjuma during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State university on 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 statement by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, noted  “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 de-militarization of the North Central 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 interest of the Taraba people and Nigerians 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 light, the authorization for the conduct of Ex-Ayem Akpatuma was authorized and troops deployed to curb menace of the herdsmen/farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North Central Region amongst others.  It is on record that the successes so far recorded in Ex-Ayem Akpatuma have been recognized and accepted by Nigerians.
“The public is notified that Nigerian 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 State by criminal elements.
“It is noteworthy to state that at the start of Ex-Ayem Akpatuma, 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 crises. The Nigerian army will continue to remain as such.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army advices 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 dealt 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.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UBTH @50: Obaseki hails institution’s role in strengthening Edo healthcare

By -
Image
(Nigeria) Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has commended the staff and management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, for their unwavering commitment, dedication, and hard work in providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of Edo State and Nigeria in the past fifty years. Obaseki, at a dinner organized in honour of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Nigeria, at the Government House, Benin City, reassured the government’s continuous partnership and collaboration with the federal government-owned health institution to strengthen the health system and ensure quality health delivery to Edo people. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu, reeled out the gains of the government’s reforms in the health sector, commending the medical centre for bolstering the government’s efforts at transforming Edo State into a health hub. He said, "We came into a wilderness where you have to cut a part for yourself and fix it. We held...
Read more

Osun: S'Court ruling affirmed power resides with the people - Diri

By -
Image
*Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (Nigeria) Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the ruling of the country’s apex court on the Osun State governorship election was an affirmation that power in a democracy resided with the people. Governor Diri, while congratulating Senator Ademola Adeleke in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, on Wednesday, expressed joy that the Supreme Court sealed the mandate freely given to the governor by the Osun people. The Bayelsa governor also said the verdict reflected the current mood of the country where those whose stock-in-trade is to promote electoral violence and subvert the will of the people have no place in our electoral system. He expressed the hope that introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, will instil more confidence in the electoral process, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deepen Nigeria’s democracy by also introducing electronic votin...
Read more

Fines on broadcast stations: NGE salutes court over perpetual order against NBC

By -
Image
(Nigeria) The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has commended the Federal High Court Abuja, over its order of perpetual injunctions restraining the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country. Ruling on originating motions marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1386/2021, instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda against the NBC - as sole respondent in the suit, Justice James Omotosho, also set aside the N500, 000 fines imposed on March 1, 2019, on each of 45 broadcast stations. The judge also held that the NBC, not being a court of law, had no power to impose sanctions as punishment on broadcast stations. He further held that the Nigeria Broadcast Code, which gives the commission the power to impose sanction, is in conflict with Section 6 of the Constitution that vested judicial power in the court of law. In a statement by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Wednesday, the Guild salut...
Read more