Call To Arms: Army, Defence Minister Tackle TY Danjuma
Defence Minister, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, and the Nigerian Army, yesterday, took on former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (Retd), over a statement credited to him, calling on the people of Taraba State and Nigerians in general to take up arms and defend themselves against killings by herdsmen.
While the defence chief described Danjuma’s statement as an invitation to anarchy, the Army said it was unfortunate that the elder statesman could make such a statement at a time it was struggling to hold the nation together.
The Army also said the attack from General Danjuma was occasioned by its decision to be neutral in the herdsmen/farmers’ crisis.
Speaking at the maiden convocation and 10th anniversary celebration of Taraba State University on Saturday, General Danjuma had alleged that the military was conniving with herdsmen to kill Nigerians, which he further described as ethnic cleansing.
“The armed forces are not neutral, they collude with the armed bandits. They facilitate their movement; they cover them. We must resist it, we must stop it. Everyone of us must rise.
“If you are depending on the armed forces to stop the killings, you will die one by one. This ethnic cleansing must stop in Taraba State. It must stop in all the states of Nigeria, otherwise Somalia would be a child’s play,” Danjuma had said.
His call has, however, elicited strong support from some Nigerians and groups, including Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Senator Shehu Sani, former Minister of Steel, Paul Unongo, the Yoruba socio-political and cultural group, Afenifere, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra, MASSOB and Ohanaeze Youth Council, among others.
But the Defence Minister in a statement, entitled: “Re-Armed Forces Collude with Bandits to Kill People”, said: “A recent comment by one of the nation’s elder statesman, alleging that the Nigerian military colludes with bandits to kill people and, therefore, calling on them to rise and defend themselves outside constitutional provisions, is highly uncalled for and is an invitation to anarchy and should be disregarded by well-meaning Nigerians.
“The efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces towards restoration of peace, security and order in Nigeria continue to receive appreciation for changing the security environment from what it was before.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces is well organized and highly professional in discharging its constitutional mandate. Therefore, if anyone has evidence of wrongdoings or dereliction of duty against our troops, he should please bring forward such evidence through appropriate channels for necessary action.
“For avoidance of doubt, the military will not be distracted from performing its statutory duties in accordance with the rules of engagement.”
In its reaction, Nigerian Army said in a statement signed Sunday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the unfortunate statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, during the convocation ceremony of Taraba State University on Saturday, March 24, 2018, in which he categorically asserted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was colluding with militias and other criminal elements and unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State.
“He further called on 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 de-militarization 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 Taraba people and Nigerian public.
“The Nigerian Army is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to aid civil authority whenever called upon to do so. “In this regard, Operation Ex-Ayem Akpatuma was authorized and troops deployed to curb menace of herdsmen/farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North Central, among others.
“It is on record that the successes so far recorded in Ex-Ayem Akpatuma have been recognized and accepted by Nigerians. “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-commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army was beheaded on March 16, 2018 in Takum, Taraba State, by criminal elements.
“It is noteworthy to state that at the start of Ex-Ayem Akpatuma, Taraba State government did not cooperate with the Nigerian army due to the Army’s stance to remain absolutely neutral in the herdsmen/farmers crises. 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 Nigerians to continue in their day to day activities and be law abiding as anyone caught with arms and ammunition will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land. “Every law abiding citizen is assured of equal protection and security of lives and property irrespective of his or her person.”
However, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, directed enquiries to the Army and defence authorities for reaction.
