THE Defence Headquarters in Abuja has urged Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegation that soldiers have been aiding and profiting from terrorism activities in the state.
The statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, on Wednesday, May 22, in Abuja, recalled that the governor made the allegation in a television interview on April 5.
While reiterating the military’s subservient to all elected government representatives, and therefore regards the relationship with utmost respect, the statement added: “In the light of the aforementioned statement of the governor, the AFN (Armed Forces of Nigeria) elects not to join words with him, but would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations.
“It is worthy of note to state that the AFN, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of criminality in the conduct of operations across the country.
“It is for this reason that there are standing court martials to treat any form of misbehaviour by troops, especially those that portray the military negatively to the general populace.
“Meanwhile, the military remains unperturbed by such statements capable of demoralising or dampening the spirit of troops in operational theatres. Rather, we will continue on the trajectory of conducting operations, as well as working assiduously in the fight against .”
Buba said the armed forces is for Nigerians and urged citizens to own it and also report any credible observed bad conduct within the ranks, so that they could face the appropriate military justice system.
