• Statement been on patrol duty is scandalous

From Abel Leonard, Lafia

Retired Brigadier General Philip Umar Ashim has vehemently criticised the Army’s handling of a recent protest in Nasarawa, condemning their actions as inappropriate and demanding accountability within the military ranks.

Expressing his dismay, via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, Brig Gen Ashim exclaimed, “Their statement of been on patrol duty is a very scandalous statement from the Nigerian Army.”

He questioned the absence of other law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) during the incident, highlighting the inappropriateness of the military taking the lead in engaging both peaceful and potentially violent demonstrators.

The retired military officer emphasised the gravity of the situation, emphasising, “Someone should have been relieved of his command for unprofessional deployment of troops.” He further criticised the use of an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to confront a crowd of unarmed, predominantly female protestors, describing it as a display of untrained military tactics.

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In stressing the imperative role of the military in maintaining neutrality and avoiding excessive force, Brig Gen Ashim warned against overzealousness, asserting, “Erring troops must be disciplined appropriately in order not to escalate the already tensed political atmosphere in the country.”

He concluded with a plea for his candid viewpoint to be escalated to the highest echelons of the military hierarchy for necessary action to address the incident and prevent further escalation amid the prevailing tense political climate in Nigeria.

He further explained that the electoral votes are subverted by the umpires and backed by the judiciary who are induced by the “so called politicians who have failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”

“I hope that this candid viewpoint shall be taken to the highest level of the military hierarchy for further necessary action,” he added.

Daily Sun reports that the incident has sparked widespread concern regarding the role of the military in handling civil protests and the imperative need for accountability and adherence to established protocols in maintaining peace and order within the country.