Military Pledge To Rid Nigeria Of Boko Haram
As Gunmen Kill Three, Snatch TV Crew’s Van
FROM the military authorities yesterday came the assurance that innocent Nigerians would not be maltreated in the course of ridding the nation of terrorists.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanised Division, Nigeria Army, Major-General Garba Wahab, who reiterated the Army’s commitment to security of lives and property debunked claims that innocent Nigerians were maltreated in the guise of fishing out terrorists holed up among them.
Wahab spoke with journalists at the 1 Division Headquarters Kaduna, saying that the Army would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Nigerians live in peace and security.
The assurance is coming on the heels of yet another attack on two buildings in Zajiri Ward of Maiduguri metropolis killing three youths in the presence of their parents.
In the neighbouring Yobe State, terrorists, Friday morning, also snatched a state-owned television (YTV) crew’s van. The incident took place along the Damaturu-Potiskum Road, as the YTV crew travelled, on assignment, to the Yobe Turkish College.
General Manager of YTV, Alhaji Gambo Ibbi, confirmed the incident.
The Military Joint Task Force (JTF) warned top government officials and other dignitaries to be more careful in their dealings with people unless there was proper identification.
JTF Commander, Col I. S Ali, said the Boko Haram gunmen, could have snatched the YTV crew van to launch more attacks and bombings of civilian and military targets in the State.
According to an eyewitness and neighbour of the slain youths, the gunmen walked into the area and started firing gunshots.
About 15 people had, early in the year, been killed in Zajiri during the Baga Market attacks and bombings.
A resident, who witnessed Friday’s shootings, said: “When we started hearing the gunshots, all of us in the house were gripped with fear, as we had no other place to flee from the attackers. I cannot tell you how many of our neighbours were killed last night, but I assure you that three boys living in the next house were killed by the gunmen, and I
cannot say whether they (the attackers) were Boko Haram members or armed bandits.”
Confirming the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State Police spokesman, Gideon Jibrin, said the command received a report from the Area Police Commander of Ibrahim Taiwo Police Station, indicating that three people were killed in the Zajiri area of Baga Road.
However, Wahab said the Army — apart from its primary duty of securing Nigerian territorial integrity — is working with civil authorities, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the Police, to root out insurgents across the Northern parts of the country.
Speaking on the allegations that soldiers killed innocent civilians and raided their homes in some northern states, the GOC argued that all military activities were based on intelligence reports and full investigations by relevant security agencies.
“After every operation, we usually have our reports. We usually go through these reports and find out what exactly happened. Every aggrieved citizen that has issue with any operation, or any soldier, is free to come and file a complaint. We will not spare any soldier found wanting, because we are a very disciplined force. But we don’t see these complaints, rather, some important people use the media to make allegations they cannot substantiate.”
Specifically, Wahab explained: “Terrorism is based on fear; the Army would do whatever it takes to make Nigerians sleep with two eyes closed. The Army has a mandate to do whatever within the ambit of the law to provide security where necessary and ensure that the country remains united”.
FROM the military authorities yesterday came the assurance that innocent Nigerians would not be maltreated in the course of ridding the nation of terrorists.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanised Division, Nigeria Army, Major-General Garba Wahab, who reiterated the Army’s commitment to security of lives and property debunked claims that innocent Nigerians were maltreated in the guise of fishing out terrorists holed up among them.
Wahab spoke with journalists at the 1 Division Headquarters Kaduna, saying that the Army would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Nigerians live in peace and security.
The assurance is coming on the heels of yet another attack on two buildings in Zajiri Ward of Maiduguri metropolis killing three youths in the presence of their parents.
In the neighbouring Yobe State, terrorists, Friday morning, also snatched a state-owned television (YTV) crew’s van. The incident took place along the Damaturu-Potiskum Road, as the YTV crew travelled, on assignment, to the Yobe Turkish College.
General Manager of YTV, Alhaji Gambo Ibbi, confirmed the incident.
The Military Joint Task Force (JTF) warned top government officials and other dignitaries to be more careful in their dealings with people unless there was proper identification.
JTF Commander, Col I. S Ali, said the Boko Haram gunmen, could have snatched the YTV crew van to launch more attacks and bombings of civilian and military targets in the State.
According to an eyewitness and neighbour of the slain youths, the gunmen walked into the area and started firing gunshots.
About 15 people had, early in the year, been killed in Zajiri during the Baga Market attacks and bombings.
A resident, who witnessed Friday’s shootings, said: “When we started hearing the gunshots, all of us in the house were gripped with fear, as we had no other place to flee from the attackers. I cannot tell you how many of our neighbours were killed last night, but I assure you that three boys living in the next house were killed by the gunmen, and I
cannot say whether they (the attackers) were Boko Haram members or armed bandits.”
Confirming the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State Police spokesman, Gideon Jibrin, said the command received a report from the Area Police Commander of Ibrahim Taiwo Police Station, indicating that three people were killed in the Zajiri area of Baga Road.
However, Wahab said the Army — apart from its primary duty of securing Nigerian territorial integrity — is working with civil authorities, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the Police, to root out insurgents across the Northern parts of the country.
Speaking on the allegations that soldiers killed innocent civilians and raided their homes in some northern states, the GOC argued that all military activities were based on intelligence reports and full investigations by relevant security agencies.
“After every operation, we usually have our reports. We usually go through these reports and find out what exactly happened. Every aggrieved citizen that has issue with any operation, or any soldier, is free to come and file a complaint. We will not spare any soldier found wanting, because we are a very disciplined force. But we don’t see these complaints, rather, some important people use the media to make allegations they cannot substantiate.”
Specifically, Wahab explained: “Terrorism is based on fear; the Army would do whatever it takes to make Nigerians sleep with two eyes closed. The Army has a mandate to do whatever within the ambit of the law to provide security where necessary and ensure that the country remains united”.
