The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday called on Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, to provide evidence to support his allegations against the military.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on April 5, 2024, Radda accused the military of aiding and profiting from terrorism in Katsina State.
In response, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that while the military would not engage in a war of words with the governor, they urged him to present his evidence to the military high command.
Edward said, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a weighty allegation labelled against the Armed Forces of Nigeria by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Governor Dikko Radda. The governor granted an interview on Channels Television programme ‘Politics Today’ on 5 April 2024, alleging that the military is aiding and profiting from terrorism activities in Katsina State.
“The AFN is hereby making it unequivocally clear that, it is subservient to all elected government representatives and, therefore, regards the relationship with utmost respect.
“ In the light of the aforementioned statement of His Excellency, the Governor of Katsina State, the AFN elects not to trade words with the state governor but rather would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations. “
Buba stated that the military remained “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 terrorism.
“It is worthy of note to state that, the AFN led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa OFR, 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,” he said.
Buba said, “Overall, the Armed Forces is for Nigerians and as such citizens are urged to own it and also report any credible observed bad conduct within the ranks so that they can face the appropriate military justice system.”
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