The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said the political leadership of both Edo and Kano states, whose citizens were affected in the recent killings in Uromi, have amicably resolved the issue.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Markus Kangye, announced this at a media briefing in Abuja.
He said: “The political leadership of both Edo and Kano States have taken action plan on the matter. You are aware that the political leadership of Edo State visited that of Kano State over the issue and families of the victims.
“So at the political level, everything has been resolved. I don’t think there is going to be any issue. Anybody or group causing apprehension or threats, if security agencies are aware, will be investigated.”
Responding to questions on how herdsmen seemed to be having a field day, attacking and killing Nigerians without military action, he said the incidents in several parts of the country, including FCT Abuja, Enugu, Benue, Ondo, Zamfara and Cross River states among others, were not signs that the military had taken its foot off the pedal.
Rather, the DHQ insisted that “troops are relentless in the battle against violent herdsmen and terrorists,” noting that in ongoing operations, “troops are neutralising them and their leaders.”
He said, “The military has not abandoned the war against violent herdsmen, terrorists and bandits. We have neutralised many of them and we are continuing the onslaught to get rid of them and their leaders.”
Making further clarifications, Kangye said: “Then on the aspect of whether the troops are not, or they have downscaled their operations against cattle rustlers and terrorist leaders.
“No. Like I read out, troops intercepted some trucks loaded with cows, and they recovered them, and they are still on the hunt for high-value terrorists. I have also read out the report for the quarter, some high-value terrorists that were eliminated during the quarter.
“I have mentioned their names. So as for Bello Truji, it is just a matter of time, an appointment will be made with him by his maker.”
…On MNJTF
Kangye said recent speculations making the rounds that the Republic of Niger had pulled out from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) remained speculative.
“MNJTF was established by countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to tackle the myriads of cross border movement of terrorists and other criminals because what happens in one country affects the others.
“But if by chance, any of the countries pull out for any reason, it will have implications for others because the synergy of efforts will no longer be there. So efforts must be sustained to make sure this synergy is sustained in the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries,” he said.
Kangye clarified that the MNJTF remains a critical regional security collaboration and that efforts must be made to prevent any member state from leaving.
The MNJTF was formed in 1994 by countries of the Lake Chad Commission to fight terrorism and other trans-border crimes across the member states.
The countries are Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon, and the Benin Republic.
Kangye said that Niger’s withdrawal from the joint task force would have had serious security implications on the efforts against terrorism and other common security threats.
He said: “When you hear dem say, it means the information lacks credibility. I think this area has been a subject of discourse for the past few months, especially when some members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to form an alliance and attempted to exit ECOWAS.
“But, you know, the Multinational Joint Task Force was established by the Lake Chad Commission countries to address their common security concerns.
“Nigeria has been making significant efforts to ensure the sustainability of this task force. However, if for any reason a member decides to pull out, the implications will be substantial. The synergy we are supposed to enjoy may no longer be there.
“It is not in our interest for any country to leave because whatever affects them also affects us. If a country withdraws, it creates a gap in effort and reduces the strength of the contingent from that country.
“Therefore, efforts must be made to prevent such a situation from happening. Do you understand? We will continue to examine the situation, and as we always do, we will provide further briefings when necessary. “
The military high command, therefore, assured Nigerians that security forces remain focused on apprehending bandit and terrorist leaders, including Bello Turji.
On the fate of soldiers wounded in action, Kangye said: “As to whether the welfare of troops is not taken care of or that there are so many complaints about their welfare by troops, well, to the best of my knowledge and what the armed forces is doing, our troops are adequately taken care of.
“And you are a journalist. If you have watched over the Sallah break, you would have noticed the chief of army staff, the chief of air staff, and other senior officers from services headquarters visiting troops at the front line to celebrate Sallah.
“And those that are wounded, I can still remember vividly that the Commander of Infantry, General A.K. Ibrahim, was at 44 Military Hospital to have lunch with our wounded in action. And last year, while I held sway as the commander of artillery, I personally was in that same 44 Military Hospital to stay with our troops on Christmas Day. I didn’t spend Christmas with my family.
“I was with our wounded in the hospital to celebrate Christmas. The year before, I was in Mangu Plateau State to also represent the chief of army staff to have lunch with our troops. So the issue of whether troops are not taken care of is not true.
“And I can also tell you that the services headquarters, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, is taking good care of the sick and wounded. Some of them that require medical evacuation abroad are taken abroad for medical treatment. Some went to Egypt; some went to Turkey, I remember, some are in India.
“And as we speak, some are still there receiving medical attention by the services, taken care of by the services. And also, I want to tell you about, was it in December or November? I don’t know the exact dates. Houses were issued to some of our wounded in action soldiers.”
Kangye stressed that the military had provided free housing for wounded soldiers who may not be able to return to active service.
“There is an estate built by the army, and the army issued keys to soldiers, free. So when you talk of the welfare of soldiers, don’t listen to some narratives that are passed in public domain. Some of these narratives are meant to discredit the effort of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and we say no to it.
“Our troops are well taken care of. Senior officers frequently visit them at the frontline and in hospitals. Some of those needing advanced treatment have been flown to countries like Egypt, Turkey, and India,” he said.
The defence spokesman warned against the spread of false information, particularly regarding religious crises in northern Nigeria.
He urged journalists and the public to verify claims before sharing them, stressing that misleading narratives could be weaponised to create unrest.