Army probes Danjuma’s allegation that soldiers aid herdsmen to kill Nigerians

The Nigerian Army on Monday inaugurated a committee to investigate the allegation by a former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, that soldiers have been aiding killer herdsmen to destroy lives and properties of Nigerians.

Danjuma had weeks ago while making the allegation, asked Nigerians not to hope that security forces in the country will save them from killer herdsmen, and asked them to defend themselves.

Sequel to the allegation, a statement by the Nigerian Army, said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, on Monday inaugurated the committee to probe the allegation at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

“The Nigerian Army has set up a high powered committee to investigate allegations made by former Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, that soldiers are colluding with armed militants to kill innocent citizens across the country.

“The eight-member committee has Major-General John Nimyel as chairman, while Colonel Gambo Mohammed is to serve as secretary.

“Other members of the committee are Brigadier-Generals Saka Abubakar, Sani Mohammed, Kayode Olajide, Alexander Ridley and Stanly Eze.

“Also on the committee are Abudu Aladoja from the Nigerian Bar Association, and Mrs. Comfort David from the Civil Society Organization,” the Army statement read.

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While inaugurating the committee, Buratai, who said that the members were selected based on their track record, urged them to carefully probe and unravel the allegations made by the former army chief.

According to the army boss, the allegation by Danjuma was a burning national issue. He asked the members of the committee to visit Taraba State and other states where allegations over misconduct of soldiers have been reported.

The Army chief noted that “the actions of the NA in recent military operations particularly in Taraba State, have been criticized by individuals and interest groups from different sectors of the society. Some of these concerns have come from the State Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and very senior citizens from the state”.

 

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