'We're neutral in herdsmen killings,' Nigerian Army replies ex-defence minister

Danjuma on Saturday, March 24, 2018, alleged that the Nigerian military colludes with militias and other criminal elements to kill Nigerians.

He described the Fulani herdsmen killings going on in Taraba, Benue and other states as ethnic cleansing, urging residents of the states to take up arms and defend themselves.

Danjuma stated this while speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University.

Responding to the viral comment, the army in a statement issued on Sunday, March 25, described it as unfortunate coming from an elder statesman like Danjuma.

[No available link text]

In the statement signed by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations, the army said it will not join issues with Danjuma but expressed disappointment that an ex-military figure is inciting violence at a critical time that the military has embarked upon demilitarisation of the North Central Region of the Country.

Read the statement below:

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the unfortunate statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday 24 March 2018 in which he 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. 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 demilitarisation 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 the Nigerian public.

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 authorisation for the conduct of Ex AYEM AKPATUMA was authorised 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 achieved in Ex AYEM AKPATUMA have been recognised and accepted by Nigerians.

ALSO READ: Fulani herdsmen kill 17 in fresh attack in Benue

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.

For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army advises the people of Taraba State and indeed all other Nigerians to continue in their day-to-day activities and be law abiding as anyone caught with arms and ammunition will be dealt with accordance with the laws of the land. Every law-abiding citizen is assured of equal protection and security of their lives and property irrespective of his/her person.