Killer Herdsmen: Nigerian Army Tackles Danjuma, Says Army Paying Supreme Price in Taraba | CNR

The Nigerian Army has countered the statement by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), at the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday 24 March 2018 in which he asserted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was colluding with killer herdsmen and was unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State, describing the statement as 'most unfortunate'.

The Army claimed that at the inception of the military operation in Taraba state to curb incessant farmer-herdsmen conflict, the Taraba state government did not cooperate with the Army because the Army insisted to be neutral in handling the crisis.

In a statement Sunday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu said while the Nigerian Army would not want join with the Elder Statesman, it views the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff as most unfortunate at this critical time that the military has embarked upon demilitarisation of the North Central Region of the Country.

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The statement read: "The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the unfortunate statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday 24 March 2018 in which he categorically asserted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was colluding with militias and other criminal elements and was unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State. He further called 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 demilitarisation of the North Central Region of the Country.

"The Nigerian Army is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to aid the civil authority whenever called upon to do so.  In this light, the authorisation for the conduct of Ex AYEM AKPATUMA was authorised and troops deployed to curb menace of the herdsmen-farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North Central Region amongst others.

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While noting that it is leaving no stone unturned in their effort to bring the killings in the North Central geopolitical zone to an end, the Nigerian Army revealed that an officer of the Army was recently beheaded in Taraba state by criminal elements.

"It is on record that the successes so far achieved in Ex AYEM AKPATUMA (Exercise Cat Race) have been recognised 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-commission officer of the Nigerian Army was beheaded on 16 March 2018 in Takum Taraba State by criminal elements.

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"It is noteworthy to state that at the inception of Ex AYEM AKPATUMA, the Taraba State Government, did not cooperate with the Nigerian Army due to the Army’s stance to remain absolutely neutral in the herdsmen-farmers crisis.  The Nigerian Army will continue to remain as such.

It therefore assured Nigerians of their readiness to ensure protection if lives property.

"For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army advises the people of Taraba State and indeed all other Nigerians to continue in their day-to-day activities and be law abiding as anyone caught with arms and ammunition will be dealt with accordance with the laws of the land.  Every law-abiding citizen is assured of equal protection and security of their lives and property irrespective of his/her person", the statement read.