Atiku Abubakar, presidential
candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu
Buhari to probe the reported secret burial of 1,000 Nigerian soldiers killed by
Boko Haram and ISWAP.
A statement he signed Thursday
said the Wall Street Journal report on the matter was saddening and that the
attempt to hide the true state of the war on terror was heartbreaking and
shocking.
He said: “Heartbreak for the
families and friends of those soldiers who, if the report is true, have lost
their loved ones, without being allowed to bury them or even to have any sense
of closure as regards their fate.
“Shock, that such a thing could
happen under a democracy, such as Nigeria is supposed to be. I shudder to think
that the cover-up of such an event of epic proportions can be true.
“The men and women of our armed
forces are our first, second and last defence against our domestic and foreign
enemies and should be treated with love, respect, dignity and appreciation for
the invaluable service they render to Nigeria.
“I cannot fathom that in the
space of a year, 1000 of these great patriots were killed and buried secretly
without their families being told. I hesitate to believe that deceit on such a
grand scale is even possible.
“To ensure that we get to the
bottom of this matter, I urge that a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by a
non-partisan and reputable jurist, be inaugurated to investigate the findings
of the Wall Street Journal.
“While this is occurring, I also
strongly urge that a panel of inquiry comprising distinguished former military
officers be set up to investigate and report to Nigerians the true state of the
war on terror and what must be done to ensure Nigeria brings a speedy end to
the ongoing insurgency.
“Nigeria must ensure prudent use
of finances, so we can redistribute national resources in such a way that
ensures that our military and security forces are well armed and well
remunerated.
“Even the death of one soldier
affects me. But the alleged cover-up of the deaths of one thousand soldiers is
a national emergency that should shock all statesmen and leaders of thoughts
into action to save Nigeria.”
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