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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The Defence Headquarters has explained that the setting up of a fact-finding team on the Plateau crises by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa was part of a non-kinetic approach in finding a lasting solution to the incessant crises in Plateau state.
DHQ also said that the team’s mandate is not limited to Plateau state alone, but extends to other trouble spots in the country.
Acting Director Defence Information Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, said in a statement that the clarification became necessary following the criticism by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on the setting up of the team by the CDS.
A national daily ( not Daily Sun) had published a story by HURIWA faulting the setting of the team, by Gusau said in the statement that “the fact-finding team headed by an experienced retired senior military officer was constituted by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, following the deployment of military hardwares including highly trained intelligence personnel and special forces to troubled areas of the State to ensure perpetrators of dastardly attacks are brought to justice.
“Consequent upon this, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja visited Plateau State on 27 January 2024 and gave the troops specific orders to deal decisively with those fermenting troubles leading to loss of lives and properties. Recently, numerous intelligence-driven operations have been conducted leading to the arrest of key suspects who are currently undergoing interrogation.
“It is therefore pertinent to note, that the team was constituted as part of the non-kinetic approach of the DHQ in resolving the situation. Also, the team’s responsibility spreads across troubled areas in the country and not limited to Plateau State alone.
“The DHQ calls on HURIWA being one of the respected human rights group to cultivate the habit of seeking credible information on issues especially as it concerns National Security before approaching the media. It is evident the group was ill-informed and could not spend time researching on efforts the military had made to restore normalcy in troubled areas of the country.
“The DHQ would have naturally overlook the ignorance of HURIWA on this matter, but finds it necessary to educate civil society organizations on the responsible use of the media not to disseminate falsehoods and create tension where non is existing. We, therefore advise HURIWA to henceforth be passionate to seek adequate information on issues of national importance and stop misleading the public deliberately. The DHQ would take strong legal action should such mistake repeat itself.
“The Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa appreciates the support of the Nigerians to our troops in the field making unquantifiable sacrifices to ensure peace in our nation. The CDS is confident the troops will stamp out criminality in Plateau State and the country at large.”
