The Nigerian Army has warned popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and other “opinion merchants” in the country to exercise restraint with their utterances and not drag the Army to disrepute.
The Army said contrary to Gumi’s statements to bandits recently that
Christian soldiers were the ones killing the bandits, the Army does not deploy
troops along religious or ethnic lines.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday titled, ‘Nigerian
Army Does Not Deploy Its Troops Along Ethnic Or Religious Lines’.
The statement was signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed
Yerima.
It read, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral
video-clip showing the renowned and respected Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed
Gumi, alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks
against bandits.
“In the video clip, the Islamic scholar was seen telling the bandits
that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims. He
further stated that they should be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims
and non-Muslims.
“While the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the respected Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, it is, however, important to restate that the Nigerian Army as national institution, does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.
“Therefore, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other opinion merchants are please
enjoined to exercise restraint not to drag the image and reputation of one of the
most reliable national institutions to disrepute.
“The Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and has continually
defended the territorial integrity of this great nation. Comments suggesting to
mudslide the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army are not only inimical
but tended towards creating bad blood amongst Nigerians.
“Furthermore, most operations conducted by the Nigerian Army were done
in strict adherence to rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect for the
fundamental human rights of the citizenry without any exception. It is
therefore, disturbing that an opinion leader would deliberately want to
disparage the Nigerian Army to portray it in bad light.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to make use of this opportunity to advise
opinion leaders to be more courteous while expressing their views, taking into
cognisance the imperative for national security, more especially at these
difficult times when our gallant troops have redoubled their efforts to tackle
the myriads of security challenges facing our dear nation. What our troops need
now is public support to discharge their responsibility effectively and in the
most professional manner.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, is currently appearing before the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on the Need to Review the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary and Other Law Enforcement Agencies.
The committee had no less than two times invited Attahiru and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to answer questions on the procurement of arms and ammunition. On Friday, the committee, after a long wait, postponed the investigative hearing till Monday.
Earlier on March 22, 2021, the committee had, after the failure by the CBN governor and the COAS to appear before it, summoned them to appear before on April 7, 2021.
Gunmen on Tuesday razed the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State.
This development came just a
day after unknown gunmen attacked Owerri Correctional Centre and the Imo State
Police Command headquarters, freeing 1,884 inmates and razing over 50 vehicles.
Tuesday’s attack came few
hours after the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, the just sacked
Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, and other Government functionaries
visited the state to inspect the level of damage on the attacked security
facilities.
On arrival, the gunmen freed
all the suspects in detention before setting the Police Divisional headquarters
ablaze.
Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen operated without any resistance from policemen.
A source said, “Gunmen this
evening razed Ehime Mbano LGA police divisional headquarters. On arrival, the
gunmen freed the suspects before wrecking the havoc.”
A police spokesperson in the
state, Orlando Ikeokwu, said that he could not confirm the development when he
was contacted by our correspondent on Tuesday evening.
But a senior police officer
who does not want his name in print said that the Command’s hierarchy was
saddened by the latest development.
The PUNCH reports that gunmen had between February and
March razed Obowo, Abo Mbaise, Ihitte/ Uboma and Isiala Mbano Divisional Police
Headquarters, killings three cops and injuring others.