The Nigerian Army has released
reports of investigation into allegations against it by the Taraba State
government and retired General TY Danjuma.
Danjuma had advised Nigerians to
defend themselves before killer herdsmen wiped them out.
“You must rise to protect
yourselves from these people, if you depend on the armed forces to protect you,
you will all die.
“This ethnic cleansing must stop
in Taraba, and it must stop in Nigeria,” the former Defence Minister had
warned.
On Friday, the Chief of Army
Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, announced content of the report.
He said in the process of
conducting the operations in Taraba State, concerns were raised by some
government officials and very senior citizens of the State on the approach of
the Nigerian Army.
“In view of these allegations,
the Chief of Army Staff, ai set up a 10-man Panel comprising senior Army
officers (both serving and retired) and members from the National Human Rights
Commission, Nigerian Bar Association and other Civil Society Organizations, to
investigate the veracity of the allegations made against the Nigerian Army.
“The Panel was inaugurated on 9
April 18 and it visited government officials, security agencies and other
stakeholders covering the 3 senatorial zones of Taraba State, including His
Excellency the Governor of Taraba State.
“The major findings of the
Investigation Panel were as follows: There was no collusion on the part of the
Nigerian Army and units operating in Taraba State with any bandit(s) as stated
by Lieutenant General TY Danjuma (Retired).
“There were few instances where
locals drag soldiers outside strict military duties to intervene in civil
disputes.
“There was good collaborations,
synergy and cooperation between the Nigeria Army and other security agencies
operating in Taraba State.
“There is sustained media
campaign to belittle the military operations in Taraba State.
“Most of the crises over the
years in Taraba State were particularly in Takum, Wukari, Ussa, Donga and
Sardauna Local Government Areas.
“There was absence of Nigerian Army
deployments in some crises prone areas in the hinterland in Taraba State.
“The Nigeria-Cameroon common
borders in Taraba State were porous.
“There was a massive
proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Taraba State, some of which
have been recovered from warring parties, criminal and unauthorised persons.
“Troops deployed in Taraba State
for Operation MESA were not paid RCA by the state government since February
2018.
“There was inadequate
communication equipment in the units which impedes Nigerian Army operations.
“Some of the localities in the
hinterland in Taraba State were not accessed by road.
“The Commanding Officer 93
Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel IB Gambari commands his unit effectively and
professionally and was only being vilified by some people/government of Taraba
State for his refusal to act outside his professional duties or do the biddings
of some government officials.
“The Executive Governor of Taraba
State made several attempts to ensure the removal of the Commanding Officer of
93 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel IB Gambari from command for his refusal to be
dragged into the state politics.
“Taraba State is highly
heterogeneous and divided along ethno-religious lines.
“The Chairman of Takum LGA, Hon
Shiban Tikari made several attempts to undermine the authority of the
Commanding Officer 93 Bn through some officers of the unit.
“The troops have a good
understanding of the Code of Conduct/Rule of Engagement.
“There were security
breaches/clashes in Taraba State till date which has necessitated the
deployment of troops in the state.
“The responses of Nigerian Army
troops deployed to forestall these crises were commendable despite daunting
challenges.
“The 20 Battalion operating at
Sardauna Local Government Area lacks combat motorcycles.
“Some of the challenges facing
the unit’s operating in Tarana State include terrain, inadequate intelligence,
inadequate communication and manpower problem.
“There was verifiable evidence
that 2 Nigerian Air Force helicopters with registration numbers NAF 574 and NAF
575 landed in Gembu on 15 March 2018 and 11 April 2018 respectively without the
knowledge of the local authority.
“The Nigerian Air Force
helicopters and personnel that landed in Gembu area were for the proposed
establishment of Nigerian Air Force Base at Gembu.
“Dairies and other relevant
documents pertaining to some major security breaches/clashes were maintained by
units operating in the State, however the units did not document the
after-action review.
“The Panel recommended that Army
Headquarters should:
a. Device a means to be
independent in its operation across Nigeria so as to insulate soldiers from the
overbearing influence of politicians in government especially with particular
reference to sponsorship of Nigerian Army operations in states.
b. Address the challenges of
manpower, communication and provision of adequate and timely intelligence to
support Nigerian Army operations in Taraba State.
c. Emphasize the need for
multi-stakeholder engagement at all levels to douse tension in Taraba State.
d. Beef up the manpower of units
in Taraba State.
e. Project its civil military
cooperation relationship by creating awareness prior to the provision of people
oriented programme and sustain it through vigorous pursuit and provisions to
Tarabans.
f. Inform the Defence
Headquarters on the need for the Services to follow due process in
establishment of any new military location/base in any state.
g. Commend the Commanding Officer
of 93 Battalion Lieutenant Colonel IB Gambari for his professionalism.
h. Impress on its Commanders the
need for after-action review in order to improve on future Nigerian Army
operations.
i. Educate the political class on
the implication of polarizing the military to achieve their selfish gains.
j. Impress on Taraba State
government to prosecute criminal elements arrested and handed over during the
course of Nigerian Army operations.
“It is apparent that the clashes
in Taraba State are a result of clan and communal crisis that predates this
present Government. Most of the crises in Taraba State are politically
motivated and some persons are deliberately escalating the situation in Taraba
State for selfish gains. With respect to the statement by Lt Gen TY Danjuma
(retired), it is clear that the allegations were not true, hence there is a
need to urge for caution on the part of the elder stateman, in view of the
security implications of such comments”.
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