Military Vows to Sustain the Tempo against Terrorists, Militants, Cattle Rustlers

• Warns against incitements, mischief makers

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has promised 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, in a statement yesterday, warned that it “will not condone any unwholesome acts by persons or groups seeking to engage in acts that are capable of causing a break down of law and order in any part of the country.”

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

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

“The DHQ also wishes to advise the public to ignore inciting pictures, videos and statements posted on 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 against militarising 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.

The governor 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, 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.

“Instead of indoctrinating them into the use of arms, we have to inculcate the values and virtues of peace into the psyche of our youths. Let them embrace peace and live it.

“The use of wood as gun for parade is uncalled for. All these military simulation should be discouraged. These are young boys and in some cases, girls are engaged too. Their minds are tender, we should build them up to embrace peace and orderliness as a way of life. This will help guarantee a more united and peaceful society.”

The governor also assured the people of the state of his determination to ensuring peace and security in the state, and urged all stakeholders to support government’s resolve in that direction.