'Era of harassment of civilians by military men is over' - Army boss assures

dimeji akinloye

August 31, 2015 11:52 PM

Rogers said personnel from his office would visit Adamawa in a fortnight to interact with the people on ways to improve military/civilian relationship.

The era of harassment of civilians by military men in uniform is over, Brig.-Gen. Nicholas Rogers, Head, Civil/Military Affairs, Army headquarters, has declared.

Rogers made the declaration on Monday, August 31, in Yola during an interactive session with stakeholders including NGOs and religious organisations in Adamawa.

He said the military, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. - Gen. Yusuf Buratai, is committed to professionalism.

"The era of harassment, beating, living above the law is over. The military must respect the constitution.

"We are here to interface with you to see how we can move this country forward," he said.

According to him, such interaction is not only necessary to improve military/civilian ties, but also facilitate the fight against insurgency.

He said that the military would soon provide the public with dedicated lines with which to report any act of indiscipline by its personnel.

In their separate remarks at the occasion, Mallam Sale Atiku of Muslim Council and Bishop Mike Moses of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), lauded the military for the renewed move to reach out to the civil populace.

The religious leaders, who assured the military of their support, also promised to mobilise their adherents to live in peace and tolerate each other.

They stressed the need for the setting up of peace and reconciliation committee to douse the tension created by the activities of Boko Haram in some areas particularly Madagali and Michika LGAs.

dimeji akinloye