ARMY TO COMMANDERS ON BENUE, TARABA, ADAMAWA: Crush killers or face court martial

-Security agencies undermining Buhari – Commissioner

The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to major perpetrators in the ongoing killing spree in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states.

Specifically, it warned the herdsmen, farmers, militia groups and bandits operating in the aff ected states to halt the tragic trend or get crushed. In a statement yesterday, Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-Genearl Texas Chukwu warned that “when troops are called out for internal security operations, they are not to joke or persuade anyone.”

According to him, the army was working with sister services and other security agencies to identify and arrest all those involved in the ongoing killings, irrespective of their status in the society. It also issued a standing order to field commanders to act decisively against masterminds of the killings, or risk court martial.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the continued disturbing, senseless killings and wanton destruction of properties in Adamawa, Benue and Taraba states. In view of this, we strongly warn the perpetrators of these crimes to desist forthwith.

“The Nigerian Army in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies are working assiduously to identify and arrest all those involved, regardless of their disposition in the society, including government functionaries.

“We would like to unequivocally reiterate that the Army Headquarters warns the arsonists and the killers to stop or face decisive action by troops. Our Rules of Engagement (ROE) is clear on arson and murder, therefore, no such criminal acts would be allowed in any of the aforementioned states.

The public are please reminded that when troops are called out for internal security operations, they are not to joke or persuade anyone. We have warned our commanders on the ground to take decisive actions or face court martial,” Chukwu further threatened.

‘Security agencies undermining Buhari’

In a related development, the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Security Infrastructure was at the weekend told how security agencies allegedly undermined the powers of President Muhammad Buhari.

The disclosure was made during a visit by a fact-finding panel to the palace of the Emir of Maradun in Zamfara state. Briefing the visiting lawmakers, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Investment, Ahmed Maradun, claimed that security agencies whose personnel were deployed to the state, allegedly refused to take action to protect residents despite a marching order by the president. According to him, the security agencies, severally collected huge sums of money from the state government without commensurate result, as the killing and abduction of residents by armed bandits continued unabated.

He said: “These security agencies are ordered by the federal government. The state governor as the chief security officer also is empowered to give them orders, but when they refuse to take such orders what should he do?

“Let me go personal with you, there was a time when the security agencies were informed that there would be an attack on one of the communities. Despite the information, they were given before hand, none of them made an attempt to counter that attack and a lot of people were killed.

“Also, you would have learnt that the President gave an order for the deployment of some of them. If you must know, they are just there and their presence is not felt. “Whenever you give them information about an attack, they always reply that they have not received any order and cannot act.

In fact, I think there’s a deliberate plot by these security agencies to undermine the powers of the president.” In his response, the committee Chairman, Senator Ahmad Lawan, assured that the panel would ensure the participation of traditional rulers in matters of governance and security, adding that the security structure in Zamfara would improve over and above what’s presently on ground.

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