Danjuma's Comments on Killings an Invitation to Anarchy, Says Defence Minister…
Paul Obi
The federal government yesterday said the statement credited to former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), was an invitation to anarchy and a resort to unconstitutional means.
Danjuma had during the convocation of Taraba State University urged Nigerians to defend themselves against killers herdsmen on a killing prowl in Taraba State and other parts of the country.
Danjuma also accused the army of bias and colluding with killers to cause havoc across the country.
Responding, the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), speaking through his media aide, Col. Tukur Gusau, said: “The attention of the Ministry of Defence was drawn to a recent comment by one of the elder statesmen alleging that the military collude with bandits to kill people and therefore, call on them to rise and defend themselves outside constitutional provisions.
“This is highly uncalled for and is invitation to anarchy and should be disregarded by well meaning Nigerians.”
Gusau added that “the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces towards restoration of peace, security and order in Nigeria are evidently clear and Nigerians continue to show appreciation for changing the security environment from what it was before.
“The Nigerian armed forces is well organised and highly professional in discharging its constitutional mandate.
“Therefore, if any one has evidence of wrongdoings or dereliction of duty against our troops should please bring forward such evidence through the appropriate channels for necessary action.”
He stressed that “for the avoidance of doubt, the military will not be distracted from performing its statutory duties in accordance with the rules of engagement.
“Nigerians should please continue to support the military so that all security challenges will be overcome within the shortest possible time,” Gusau submitted.
The factional Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Alhaji Dalandi Wada, who was reported missing last Saturday by his family members has been found.
He was said to have been abducted by some unknown persons at about 6a.m. last Saturday after his morning prayers at a nearby mosque in his Angwan Rimi GRA residence by 5:30a.m.
The Director of Administration of the faction of the party, Major Yahaya Shinko (rtd), who confirmed that he has returned home, said the party leader was released by his abductors in Zaria at about 5:30a.m. yesterday and was brought home by an acquaintance.
“They released him, so we are taking him to the hospital for blood test. He has high blood pressure and the bread and water his abductors gave him, may be poisonous, we don’t know, we want him to run medical test.”
Shinko said on arrival, Wada