A non-partisan advocacy group, the Unity Advocacy Group, (UAG) berated a Civil Society Organisation, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) for what it called “deliberate attempt to misinform Nigerians on the military operations in Benue state.”
UAG said Intersociety displayed ignorance on the subject, advising to other CSOs and media to investigate issues very well before going to the press to churn out lies.
Intersociety had recently accused the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa of bias in the Benue massacre.
The Group also described Gen. Musa’s comments on ranches as veiled endorsement of impunity and further islamisation of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Recall that the CDS had made a two way suggestion, calling for the control of movement of animals across the region.
According to the CDS “In doing that, it is important we create ranches… Ranches will do a great deal in securing our control and will prevent the conflict between the Farmer-Herders clashes.
The CDS also appealed that aggrieved farmers must learn to stop killing animals crossing into farms, saying animals should be arrested and compensations are made.
UAG in a press release on Saturday signed by its Convener, Ifeanyi Aigbedion, said the accusations are very far from the truth.
He said Intersociety showed lots of ignorance and misinformation in the diatribe against the military and Chief of Defence Staff.
“Intersociety should as a matter of urgency apologize to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the CDS for the misinformation they just churned out.
“We are not here to defend anyone, but as stakeholders in the Nigeria project, we urge the group to investigate very well before going to the press to churn out lies.
“It is even shameful that the Group will associate the CDS with killers and marauders. CDS just made a suggestion which to any genuinely concerned Nigerian, will bring a stop to invasion of farmlands by animals.
“We call on CSO’s, NGO’s, the media and interested parties to only speak on matters that are very sure of. We should not raise alarm or weaken the resolve of our troops,” UAG added.