By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has warned persons spreading false information to malign the military to desist from it forthwith or face constitutional redress.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information handed down the warning while reacting to a video made by the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Mangu Chapter, Reverend Timothy Daluk.
In the said video, Daluk accused the Nigerian military of being complacent or biased in handling the crisis that erupted on January 23 in the Mangu area of Plateau State.
Describing the video as “baseless, malicious, fake and misleading”, the DHQ cautioned that henceforth, anyone found culpable will be held accountable.
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to a malicious video made by the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Mangu Chapter, Reverend Timothy Daluk.
“The video has been circulating in the media, aiming to malign military personnel deployed to address the security challenges in the Mangu general area.
“The video made baseless and untrue accusations, claiming that the military is biased and supports a particular group against others. We categorically state that these accusations hold no truth, are malicious and lack any reasonable foundation,” Buba stated.
General Gusau noted that upon the security breach in Mangu, the Plateau State Government declared a 24-hour curfew and troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN were reinforced to enforce the curfew and bring normalcy in the area to prevent its spread.
He insisted that troops displayed a high level of professionalism and rules of engagement during operations in the area.
The operation has led to the arrest of criminals involved in the looting and burning of properties, as well as recovered weapons and regretted why a religious leader has resorted to spreading falsehood.
“It is deeply disturbing that a religious leader, who is expected to demonstrate high levels of moral judgement and truthfulness, has resorted to spreading falsehoods about the military and its personnel,” the DHQ said.
The statement reassured the commitment of the military to remain neutral, focused, and professional in the discharge of its constitutional role of protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
“We will deal with anybody found disobeying the law, without bias or prejudice.
“We therefore call upon the public to support the ongoing military operations aimed at decimating non-state actors operating in these troubled areas of the State.
“We will not be distracted by baseless accusations and remain steadfast in our commitment to restoring peace and security,” he added.
Plateau Crisis: Armed Forces vow to destroy ‘cancer of terrorism’
… neutralises 94 terrorists, arrests 171 others
By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Armed Forrces has vowed to “destroy the cancer of terrorism” that is ravaging the country, and create a safe environment for Nigerians to have a prosperous future.
Making particular reference to the escalating crisis in Plateau State, the military hierarchy regretted that the situation is self-inflicted by citizens upon one another.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this on Thursday at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, while briefing journalists on operations of tye millitary in the last two weeks.
“We have deployed special forces to some of the hotspots in order to conduct targetted operations. We have also deployed several battlefield enablers to enhance intelligence and strike capability on these terrorists. We are encouraging the warring fractions to shield their swords,” he said.
On military operations against armed kidnapping groups in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, he said “offensive operations are ongoing at the following locations; Cashew Forest, Kwaku, Gwombe, Gadoro and Tukuba all in Kuje Area Council. Other areas covered were Kawu, Igu, Tokulo, Gaba, Zuma 1 and Zuma 2, Shere, Mpape, Jikoko, Berger Quarry and Nukuchi Villages all in Bwari Area Council of FCT”.
“In neighboring states to the FCT such as Niger State. Troops are conducting operations in ; Gauraka, Apo Forest, Gyedna/Sabon Wusa and Garam in Tafa LGA of Niger State. Additionally, troops covered Numan and Basa in Akwanga and Nasarawa LGAs of Nasarawa State respectively,” he added.
He added that in the recent weeks, troops neutralised 94 and arrested 171 others. “Troops also arrested 43 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 29 kidnapped hostages.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Four Hundred and Eighty Five Million Nine Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Naira (N485,983,150.00) only,” he added.
