Why We Still Have Killings In Plateau, Others – Buratai Opens Up

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has asserted that the constant killings in Nigeria especially in the Middle Belt of the country is both externally and internally influenced as he emphasized that the ‘forces against her’ threaten national unity.

Following the rising fatalities in Plateau and Zamfara among other states where certain killers across religious inclinations have been alleged to be culprits, the Army chief spoke in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as he commemorate the flagging off of the 2018 Army Day celebration.

He however pointed out the capacity of the Nigerian Army to be on top of the security challenges rocking the country.

“We are aware of the many security challenges that have bedeviled this country in the last decade or so. However, I am pleased to state that the Nigerian Army has made giant strides in this regard particularly in the last one year.

“Our security architecture as a country is one with a very positive outlook. We have not only consolidated on the gains established in the fight against insurgency in the North-east but have progressed to the post  stabilisation  phase where  all  efforts are geared towards ensuring displaced persons return to their biological homes which are now safe.

“The current crisis in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara states are both induced internally and externally,” Mr. Buratai stated.

He continued by saying:

“So many forces are against Nigeria. The target is the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country. The blame game along ethnic and religious fault lines is not the solution. Nigerians must unite to solve this serious challenge. 

“The Nigerian Army is not sleeping. We are continuously exploiting all the linkages and leads towards addressing the security challenges we shall get to the roots of all the crisis militarily.

“Therefore, we must be tolerant of one another and give peace a chance. let us also remember that no nation can develop or be economically vibrant without peace”, the lieutenant-general added.

Also, Buratai passionately called on Nigerians to eschew reinforcing the elements posing as security threats of the country through any sort of social media propaganda.

He, therefore, asked them to be patriotic and pursue the national unity which would be quickly ameliorate the situations at hand.

“I therefore want to use this medium to solicit with us all to be our brothers’ keepers. We assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian  Army  is  for  you and  will  continue  to  work  for the common good of the country while professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.”

“If we can get a hundred per cent cooperation of Nigerians, especially those that engage in the negative publicity about the security challenges, I think we will be able to reduce the conflict drastically as well as contain the Boko Haram propaganda.

“As far as I am concerned, the security challenges and Boko Haram propaganda which wittingly or unwittingly being spread so many persons in the social media, if we are patriotic enough we should all see it as a national challenge which we must all work towards resolving. If we  eschew such propaganda by Boko Haram and all other individuals who have the interest to destabilize the country , then I can assure you we have find the solution to the insecurity in this country. 

“If we celebrate insecurity we will continue to live with insecurity. So it is better for all of us to look at the challenges facing us dispassionately and see how we can bring it to an end”, Buratai ended.