The reality: Nigerian Army versus TY Danjuma

The Nigerian Army is in war of words with a former Chief of Army Staff and defence minister, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, a Northerner over a statement accredited to him against the Nigerian army at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Taraba State  in Jalingo, and published in the daily newspapers.

Lt General Tukur Burutai, Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff

Nigerian military, according to Vanguard newspaper report today classified the statement credited to a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, as an unfortunate statement coming out from a highly distinguished statesman especially now that the military has embarked on demilitarization of the North Central Region of the Country.

The headquarter through its public relations director, Texas Chukwu, Brigadier General also warned Nigerians not to listen to the former chief of Army staff, noting that anyone caught in possession of arms would be dealt with.

 “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”.

The Nigerian Army statement read thus: A statement he made at the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University, yesterday that pinched the Nigerian Army;  Danjuma said, “You must rise to protect yourselves from these people; if you depend on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die. “I ask all of you to be on the alert and defend your country, defend your state. “This ethnic cleansing must stop in Taraba, and it must stop in Nigeria. These killers have been protected by the military; they cover them and you must be watchful to guide and protect yourselves because you have no other place to go”, he said.

Consequently, the Nigerian Army headquarters issued a statement warning Nigerians not to listen to the advice of the statesman for they are saddled with the responsibility of protecting the territory.

But, according to the Vanguard publication of yesterday the former Chief of Army Staff and defence minister, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, outburst is coming against the backdrop of recent violent attacks by killer herdsmen. In the first 10weeks of 2018 alone, over 1351 people lost their lives, largely, as a result of violent killer herdsmen attacks. Some of these activities have been described as pure criminality.

Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd)

The disengaged General of the Nigeria Army spat fire by calling on Nigerians to rise and defend themselves against attacks by marauding herdsmen in some parts of the country, or continue to suffer casualties. “You must rise to protect yourselves from these people; if you depend on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die. “I ask all of you to be on the alert and defend your country, defend your state,” he admonished.

Speaking further, Danjuma was quoted as had said that the unnecessary killings, which is akin to an act of ethnic cleansing being perpetuated against the people of Taraba, specifically, and Nigeria, at large, must stop. An obviously and visibly angry Danjuma also lampooned the military authorities by slapping the institution with the accusation that it is complicit in the violent incidents by providing protection for the killers. “This ethnic cleansing must stop in Taraba, and it must stop in Nigeria.

These killers have been protected by the military; they cover them and you must be watchful to guide and protect yourselves because you have no other place to go”.

Danjuma, who received the award of honorary Doctor of Science from the University, was quoted, he lamented that in spite of the cultural diversity in the state, which was supposed to be used as a tool to bring unity among the people, there were armed bandits who come into the state to connive with the military to kill people and cause ethnic cleansing.

Danjuma said when he arrived at the arena of the convocation, he saw a diverse cultural display organised by Taraba State cultural groups. This, he said, was proof-positive that the state represents Nigeria in all aspects, stressing that there was no need for the killings.

 The former Chief of Army Staff then warned that “the ethnic cleansing must stop now otherwise Somalia will be a child’s play”.

But,“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 demilitarization 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 on record that the successes so far achieved in Ex AYEM AKPATUMA 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. “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.

“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 in 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.”