'Charge all beneficiaries of $2b arms deal with treason' - Group urges FG

dimeji akinloye

December 21, 2015 6:28 PM

The Coordinator of the group, Mr Phil Roberts, made the call at a joint news conference in Abuja.

Former National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

A coalition of Society groups, New Nigeria Agenda and The Nigerian Project, on Monday, urged the Federal Government to try all beneficiaries of the two billion meant for the purchase of arms for treason.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr Phil Roberts, made the call at a joint news conference in Abuja.

He said "it is our wish that anyone, no matter how highly placed, that is found culpable should be treated as committing treason against the Nigerian state.

"This is because we believe it is the only way people in position of authority will respect the innocent lives of Nigerians placed under their watch.

"Now that we know that funds meant for our security was embezzled by a few, we are happy that the long arm of the law will gradually bring all of them to justice.’’

Roberts urged Nigerians to support the military in the fight against insurgency as it was a collective fight.

He said "we also want to empathically state that this fight is a fight that demands the participation of every well-meaning Nigerian.’’

He added that the group decided to speak out in total condemnation of how Nigerian troops were subjected to ridicule.

READ: Dasuki to be detained in Kuje Prison

He explained that the group had taken it upon itself to launch the Support Our Troops Initiative to create sustained awareness on military operations against insurgency in the country.

He called for adequate funding of the military in the 2016 appropriation to boost their morale.

The coordinator condemned comments by some Nigerians on the recent action of the Army against the Shiite group who allegedly attacked the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) convoy in Zaria.

He said "the act by the Shiites was a clear attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff.

"But to our greatest shock, we read where Nigerians have been condemning the Army, all to make the government look bad.’’

He said there was nowhere in the world today where civilians would confront the Army in such a manner without sinister motive.

dimeji akinloye