Distraction: The last thing Nigerian Army needs right now

Recent agitations in the media against the country’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, by some civil society groups and self-acclaimed Nigerian human rights advocates attracted this writer’s interest. These calls are coming at a time when the country needs to gather all its forces to see that the army completely […]

Recent agitations in the media against the country’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, by some civil society groups and self-acclaimed Nigerian human rights advocates attracted this writer’s interest. These calls are coming at a time when the country needs to gather all its forces to see that the army completely obliterates the Boko Haram insurgency that has defied logic. These unfortunate calls are coming at a time when, after six long, horrific years, life in the North-East region is gaining a semblance of normalcy but for the recent Dalori, Gombi and other pockets of attacks that has reawakened our fears. Instead of shoring up support for our military to remain steadfast and focused in this onerous task, some of our country men are wont to cause distractions that would jeopardize whatever successes that may have been achieved so far. Whose interest would it serve if such distractions frustrates the Nigerian Army into instability?
The agitations in question began after the clash between men of the Nigerian Army (NA), and members of Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky’s Shi’ite movement which led to the death of a yet-to-be confirmed number of the latter’s members. And with the on-going Dasuki arms procurement scandal, a group that names itself Save the Nation Movement challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to probe the COAS for being Director of Defence Procurement in the period under investigation. The group was quick to drag his name into the corruption saga for reasons only they truly know.  They could not hide their desperation to defile the General’s name to such an extent that they could not pause to get their facts straight before squalling their guile (if the army press release defending the Chief is anything to go by).
There is an adage that says one does not set his house ablaze to catch a rat. Indeed, anyone whose heart genuinely feels for the people of the North-East would not wish for anything but goodwill for the COAS and his men in this critical time because they face a bigger monster threatening a region to extinction if unchecked. And who knows if other regions would subsequently remain safe from the menace if the right actions are not taken now.
Indications are that for president Buhari to have virtually plucked away Buratai from Chad few months after being appointed commander of Multi-National Joint Task Force so as to make him COAS shows how much confidence Mr. President has in him as a reliable paladin to fight a war which this administration is determined to win. One is certain president Buhari must have done his investigations on the man before saddling him with this huge responsibility despite several others available for selection. This act alone should teach Nigerians to tarry a while before they rub their aspersions on the Army Chief and his actions.
And if these calls are part of a  political gimmick to rubbish president Buhari’s government, one would like to plead on behalf of millions of Nigerians whose lives are exposed to different forms of danger to please leave Buratai and the entire military out of politics so that they can finish the good work which they started for the betterment of the country. Besides, this writer is of the opinion that anyone who has lived in this country in the last 40 years knows that the army under this leadership is making deliberate efforts to shed off the spots it had acquired from its past image. Indeed, it is my belief that the Buratai-led Nigerian Army has helped in bringing a human face to the force.
Personally, this writer finds the COAS’s leadership style impressive. This is a leader that joins the troops at the frontline from time to time, checking on them and encouraging them. This is an Army Chief who, judging from media coverage, celebrated his eid (sallah) and Christmas as COAS, with his gallant soldiers at the frontline instead of sending them goodwill messages from the comfort of his home. This is a man that deployed psychological and military prowess to nip a malignant insurgency which many of us feared could go on ad infinitum.
It is my belief that the Nigerian Army must not be distracted from its most pressing assignment now that the insurgents are obviously regrouping. As for respect to human life and civil society, a meaningful contribution which the army needs from the society at this period of trepidation is goodwill and encouragement; then sincere advice/advocacy on how to promote synergy between the military and others; particularly on how best to react to confrontations. As Emir Sanusi had observed, there is a time to use rubber bullets, there is a time to use tear gas, there is a time for hot water sprays and there is a time for live bullets to counter uprisings. Since this crop of military leadership has exhibited its readiness to adjust to the change mantra, what it needs is cooperation and constructive critique of its style.
Arasu writes from Layin Dogo, Hayin Banki, Kaduna.