DHQ Vows to Sustain Tempo Against Terrorists, Militants, Cattle Rustlers

•Warns against incitements, mischief makers

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has vowed that the military and security agencies will sustain the planned and ongoing onslaught against terrorists, militancy, cattle rustlers and other forms of criminality in the country.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, warned in a statement inTuesday that it “will not condone any unwholesome acts by persons or group seeking to engage in acts that are capable of causing breaking down of law and order in any part of the country”.

To this end, he advised members of the public to refrain from taking laws into their hands and avoid actions that may cause breach to harmonious co-existence.

He however urged individuals or groups seeking for relevance should follow the due process in accordance with the law of our land and not through acts of brigandary.

“The DHQ also wishes to advice the general public to ignore inciting pictures, videos and statements posted in some social media platforms which are now confirmed to be the creation of photoshops with the intention of causing disharmony and divisions among different nationalities.

“The military and the security agencies will continue to sustain the current tempo against terrorists, oil thieves, cattle rustlers and other forms of criminalities and urge all law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses and report any suspicious persons or object to the nearest security post for prompt action,” he stated.
                              
In a related development, the Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has cautioned Youth Volunteer groups, especially those affiliated with religious bodies not to militarise their members but to operate within the confines of the law.

Bello in a statement signed yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace,  frowned at the display of military simulation exercise by a youth volunteer groups.

He observed that volunteer groups are deviating from their primary function of ensuring orderliness at the gatherings especially during Sunday Service in Churches and the Friday Jumat prayers in Mosques to acquiring military training and practice.

He said: “Volunteer groups are to operate within the letters and the intent of the law. These groups to the best of my knowledge are to help ensure orderliness during congregational prayers, direct and ensure free flow of human and vehicular traffic before, during and after Jumat prayers on Fridays and Church services on Sundays.

“The growing and disturbing trend that I have noticed across the divide is the militarisation of these groups. They are now being drilled in the act of using arms and carrying gun.”

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