THE Defence Headquarters, on Wednesday, urged the Katsina State Governor, Umar Dikko Radda, to come forward and substantiate his allegations against the military.
According to the military high command, Radda, while featuring on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television on April 5, 2024, accused the military of aiding and profiting from terrorism in his state.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, said the military would not trade words with the governor but would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations.
Edward said, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a weighty allegation labelled against the Armed Forces of Nigeria by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Governor Dikko Radda. The governor granted an interview on Channels Television programme ‘Politics Today’ on 5 April 2024, alleging that the military is aiding and profiting from terrorism activities in Katsina State.
“The AFN is hereby making it unequivocally clear that, it is subservient to all elected government representatives and, therefore, regards the relationship with utmost respect.
“ In the light of the aforementioned statement of His Excellency, the Governor of Katsina State, the AFN elects not to trade words with the state governor but rather would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations. “
Buba stated that the military remained “unperturbed by such statements capable of demoralising or dampening the spirit of troops in operational theatres.”
“Rather, we will continue on the trajectory of conducting operations as well as working assiduously in the fight against terrorism.
“It is worthy of note to state that, the AFN led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa OFR, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of criminality in the conduct of operations across the country. It is for this reason that there are standing court martials to treat any form of misbehaviour by troops especially those that portray the military negatively to the general populace,” he said.
He urged the citizens to own the military and report bad conduct of any personnel.
Buba said, “Overall, the Armed Forces is for Nigerians and as such citizens are urged to own it and also report any credible observed bad conduct within the ranks so that they can face the appropriate military justice system.”
