Disregard statement by TY Danjuma, Army tells Nigerians
The Nigerian Army on Sunday called on Nigerians and especially citizens of Taraba state to disregard the statements by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma wherein he called on them to take up arms and defend themselves. The Army also warned that whoever is found carrying arms will be arrested […]
The Nigerian Army on Sunday called on Nigerians and especially citizens of Taraba state to disregard the statements by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma wherein he called on them to take up arms and defend themselves.
The Army also warned that whoever is found carrying arms will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.
The Army described as unfortunate other remarks by Lieutenant General Danjuma that the Armed forces were conniving with criminals and militias and so were unable to provide the much needed security where they have been deployed to.
In a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu noted that the army views Danjuma’s statement as unfortunate since it was spoken during a critical time when the military had embarked on demilitarization of the North Region of the country.
Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma had during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday 24 March 2018 categorically asserted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was colluding with militias and other criminal elements and was unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State.
He further called the people of Taraba State to take up arms and defend themselves.
Chukwu added that though the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the Elder Statesman, certain facts need to be clearly stated in the interest of the Taraba People and the Nigerian public.
The statement reads in part, “The Nigerian Army is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to aid the 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 the menace of the herdsmen-farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North Central Region amongst others.
“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-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 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 crisis.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to remain as such”.