T.Y Danjuma’s Call For Self Defence: Army Responds

The Nigerian army has responded to the statement of allegation made by a former minister of defence, Theophilus Danjuma. That the Nigerian military is compromised, and calling the citizens to defend themselves.

Speaking at speaking the convocation ceremony in Taraba state University, Danjuma, a retired general and former chief of army staff also accused the army of being bias and colluding with killers to attack Nigerians.

But in a statement on Sunday, Texas Chukwu, spokesman of the army, denied his allegation and said that the military is neutral in its operation.

The army said the retired general made the statement at a time when the demilitarisation of the north-central had just commenced.

The statement reads in Part;

“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.

“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 the Taraba people and the Nigerian public – 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.

“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.”

Chukwu advised Nigerians to continue to be law-abiding citizens as anyone caught with arms and ammunition would be dealt with in accordance with the laws.