The Nation Newspaper

Tag: soldiers

  • Soldiers arrest ballot box snatching suspects

    Soldiers arrest ballot box snatching suspects

    Two persons suspected to be agents of one of the political parties involved in yesterday’s supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa were arrested for allegedly snatching a ballot box.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the suspects were arrested by soldiers at Otuokpoti Unit 1, Ward 2, Ogbia Local Government Area where the box was allegedly snatched.

    The suspects were said to have forcefully carried the ballot box while polling was ongoing at the unit.

    The incident caused pandemonium at the unit but after the suspects were taken away, accreditation and voting resumed.

    An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official in the ward, who did not want to be named, confirmed that security reinforcement had been sent to the area and that election would continue.

    A member of the security team in the ward said that the suspects would be taken to Yenagoa, the state capital, while investigation would be carried out on the incident.

    However, Police in the state said they were yet to receive report on the incident.

    Spokesman of the command, Mr Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said it was possible that such incident occurred in the polling area but that the command had not received report on it.

    Butswat, however, told NAN that the situation was calm in most polling units where the election was being conducted.

    NAN reports that the supplementary election in the state was holding in Southern Ijaw and in 101 polling units in other parts of the state where the December 5, 2015 governorship poll was cancelled due to violence.

    According to Butswat, reports from the units indicate that all is calm.

    “The command has done necessary deployments to all polling units. In most units, accreditation and voting have commenced and it has been peaceful so far.

    “Our men are on ground and are on top of the situation,” he said.

  • Soldiers defiled our members, alleged Shi’ite women

    Soldiers defiled our members, alleged Shi’ite women

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    • Army source: allegation senseless

    The Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise called the Shi’ite sect, yesterday alleged that soldiers tortured and defiled its members before killing them.

    It said this occurred during the clash between the Shi’ite and soldiers in Zaria.

    A top military source, who preferred anonymity, said the allegation was senseless, adding that it was impossible for anybody to attempt to rape during “exchange of gunshots.”

    He said: “You will agree with me that a man cannot be aroused, let alone think of rape during exchange of fire. So, the allegation is senseless.”

    Members of the forum called for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, as well as their husbands and children.

    The women stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Kaduna State Council, to protest the alleged unlawful detention of their leader, husbands and children.

    The Secretary, Hajia Aisha Hassan, who wept as she addressed reporters, said the authorities were insensitive to their plight by detaining their leader and not allowing access to him.

    She alleged: “Some of the women were raped before being killed. Women and children have become widows and orphans.

    “It is now over three weeks since the Army launched a brutal attack on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, killing over 1,000 people in Zaria after over 27 hours of shooting and bombing.

    “These demonic acts perpetrated by soldiers have not only raised their human rights abuse record, but have also turned women into widows, children into orphans and wiped out families.

    “The soldiers molested our members and removed their hijab, which is a violation of Islamic right.

    “These were followed by propaganda by the government and Army to portray the movement and its leader in bad light, thereby instigating sectarian sentiment and creating tension.

    “Although we are aware that it is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and instigate us into violence, we will never resort to anything outside the legal process of seeking redress. This is evident in the way we acted last year when soldiers attacked our members and killed 34 of them, including three sons of our leader.

    “Now that they have killed another three, we remain undaunted, calm and resolute.”

    Hajia Hassan urged the government to pay diyya (death compensation) to the bereaved, adding that the bodies of their members should be released for burial according to Islamic rites.

    The General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanised Division is billed to address reporters today.

     

     

  • Soldiers, Shiites’ clashes

    Soldiers, Shiites’ clashes

    The recent Soldiers/Shiites’ clash in Zaria is a worrisome development. It has come at a time when Nigerians are almost heaving a sigh of relief over the deadly Boko Haram attacks that seem to be abating. In fact, these Soldiers/Shiites’ clashes have become a recurring episode in our national life. And whenever they rear their ugly head, it is with some catastrophic consequences, leaving a tale of sorrow, tears and blood in its wake.

    The Shiite group known as the Islamic Movements of Nigeria, IMNL, is led by its fiery leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The group came into prominence after the 1979 Iranian Revolution which was led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. That 1979 revolution sent the then American puppet leader of Iran, Shah Reza Palavi, who had ruled the country with iron fist for decades, into oblivion. An Islamic regime was then put in place and Ayatollah Khomeini became the spiritual leader of the country. Since then, the Ayatollah, as the spiritual leader, has become the supreme authority of Iran.

    This spiritual-cum-political arrangement must have been very attractive to the Shiite group in Nigeria who are equally thought to be pursuing the establishment of an Islamic state. Though the Shiite group holds sway in the northern parts of the country, little is known about them in the southern parts of the country. Nevertheless, security agents particularly the Police and operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, have always focused their binoculars on the group especially its leader, El-Zakzaky. This has inevitably made the sect and the security agencies bitter enemies.

    In July 2014, while on a pro-Palestinian solidarity march in Zaria, Kaduna State, the group clashed with soldiers. The unfortunate encounter led to the death of about 34 members of the sect including three sons of El-Zakzaky. The army later came up with the explanation that the clash occurred when members of the sect attacked some soldiers who were trying to prevent the procession in view of the prevailing delicate security situation occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists who had put the North-east of the country under armed insurrection. It took some time for frayed nerves to be calmed but that incident drew the line between the sect and the army. It was like a ticking bomb waiting to explode.

    However, the ticking bomb finally exploded on Friday, December 11. That day, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, was on his way to the Zaria depot of the Nigerian Army to review a parade of the 74 Regular Recruits and also later, to pay a courtesy call on the Emir of Zazzau, when his convoy ran into members of the sect who were on a procession. Attempts by the COAS’ armed convoy to disperse the crowd were said to have been rebuffed. Not even the entreaties of some officers in the convoy who disembarked from their vehicles and approached the sect members would sway the crowd who by then had blocked the road. The COAS convoy was said to have come under attack possibly engineered by some misguided and unruly elements within the crowd. The soldiers in the convoy allegedly responded by firing some shots which led to the death of some people. The crowd was then forced to disperse.

    Since then, the social media and other media of communication have been awash with comments and repudiations from both sides to the conflict. But if the comment of a spokesman for the sect which has been well advertised in the media is anything to go by, then there is actually no love lost between the army and the sect. While the army could be accused of possibly being high-handed, the sect too appears to hold the establishment -the government and security agencies, particularly the army- in utter contempt. When the spokesman was asked whether they believe in the government or whether they defer to government, he simply said that the sect obeys orders especially when the orders are not in conflict with “Allah’s injunctions”. If I may ask: How do you determine between Allah’s injunctions and government’s authority? The interpretation of what the sect spokesman simply said was that even if the government issues an order that there must not be any procession at a particular time, for security reasons, chances are that the sect might flout that order if it (the sect) believes it is embarking on a procession in line with Allah’s wish. To say the least, this is nothing but a recipe for confrontation.

    When asked whether it was true that the sect members attacked the soldiers, the spokesman said: “If you are in your house and you see an armed person within the precinct of your house, what will you do?” What this man needs to understand is that if you have no skeleton in the cupboard and you suddenly woke up and see security agents around your premises, the most reasonable thing to do is either wait and see what they are up to, or to politely ask questions. Confrontation cannot and must not be the first option. There cannot be a republic within a republic. Otherwise, what is the difference between what this sect is trying to do and what Boko Haram is doing? Nobody can pronounce himself or herself an untouchable. We must all be answerable to the laws of the land and not attempt to carve out any utopian empire just because we feel we are superior to the law or that our religion is superior to the laws of the land.

    At any rate, what has happened and has continued to repeat itself is quite unfortunate and uncalled for. Just as religion has a role to play in the country, the government, through its laws and agencies, also has a duty to create the enabling environment for citizens to go about their normal duties without fear of molestation and attack. Without an enabling environment, no religion, government or business can thrive. The first casualty is peace. We must get that clear. Therefore, rather than preach hatred, our religious leaders must preach peace at all times. If we are today saying that successive governments in Nigeria have failed the people, so also are our so-called religious leaders. They have also failed us since they appear to be more engrossed in how to line their pockets with filthy lucre and acquire political powers through the back door. They merely use their spiritual positions as subterfuge to acquire undue influence and power.

    If anything at all, we need peace in this country more than any other thing as the absence of peace will certainly impinge on the much needed development we all crave for. Our religious leaders whether Christians, Muslims or any other religion for that matter, should strive at all times to subjugate themselves and their followers to the dictates of the law. The laws are there to guarantee peace and uphold the fundamental human rights of individuals. You don’t undermine the law and then turn round to say that your human rights have been abused or trampled on.

    With more than 700,000 innocent citizens dead, countless others maimed, many houses raised and economic lives ruined, pseudo-religionists as represented by Boko Haram, have done incalculable damage to this country. We cannot afford another dangerous group toying with the destiny of this country. The security agents too must exercise restraint in the way they go about their duties without creating unnecessary tension and acrimony in the polity. This country belongs to everybody – Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, pagans, soldiers, other law enforcement agents, ordinary citizens and what have you. It is not the exclusive property of any individual or group of people no matter how highly or well placed they might be.

     

  • 70 soldiers sentenced to death by courts-martial, says Falana

    70 soldiers sentenced to death by courts-martial, says Falana

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday clarified that 70 soldiers and not 66 were sentenced to death by two military courts-martial last year.

    He gave the clarifications in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday in reaction to the claims of the Army Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sani Usman.

    The Army PRO said at the weekend that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had commuted the death sentenced passed on 66 soldiers, who were convicted last year by two courts-martial.

    Giving a breakdown of those sentenced to death, Falana said his chamber defended 58 of the convicted soldiers.

    “Twelve soldiers were convicted in September 2014 and sentenced to death by a court-martial for demanding for weapons when the General Officer Commanding, the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, visited a military camp in the war zone while 58 others were convicted and sentenced to death in December by another court-martial for demanding for weapons to fight the insurgents .

    “Therefore, the number of soldiers who were sentenced to death by the two courts-martial is 70 and not 66,” he said.

    The lawyer gave the names of four convicts, who have been left out of the commuttal of the death sentence to 10 years’ imprisonment as LCP Bankole Taiwo,  LCP Ayodele Olawale, LCP Isiah Osofu and Adebayo Gbenga.

    Although the soldiers were charged with mutiny, Falana said the only allegation proved against them at the courts-martial was that they protested the refusal of the military authorities to provide weapons to fight insurgency.

    Unlike many soldiers, who deserted the army, he said the convicts were ready to defend the territorial integrity of the country, adding that they only made a legitimate demand for equipment to fight the insurgents who were better equipped and motivated.

    He gave further clarification that the second batch of convicts actually fought and defeated the Boko Haram troops at Delwa in Borno State when weapons were eventually made available to them “but for having the temerity to demand for weapons, they were convicted and sentenced to death”.

    Urging the Chief of Army Staff to further review the case of the convicted soldiers, Falana said: “In demanding for weapons, the soldiers were exercising their right under Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, which provides that a soldier could make a complaint to his commanding officer without any fear of punishment for having made a complaint’’.

  • Soldiers, Boko Haram clash in Chief of Army Staff’s village

    Soldiers, Boko Haram clash in Chief of Army Staff’s village

    Boko Haram gunmen launched a dawn raid yesterday on Buratai, Borno State hometown of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Buratai, triggering a fierce gun battle with troops, residents of a nearby village to which people fled the clashes said.

    There was no immediate report of casualties in the fighting.

    Abubakar Umar, a resident of the nearby hamlet of Miringa, told AFP that the fighting began at 5:00 am after Boko Haram insurgents attacked the village.

    “At one point we could hear explosions coming from the direction of Buratai,” he said.

    Troop reinforcements from a military base in Biu, 30 kilometres from Buratai, were seen passing through Miringa.

    “Nine trucks conveying soldiers and another four carrying local hunters drove through our village towards Buratai and from what we hear more are on their way,” said Shitu Ayuba, another resident.

    Some Buratai residents had fled to Miringa, where they took shelter in a primary school, locals said.

    Buratai and nearby villages have been repeatedly targeted in deadly raids by the extremists since June, when the army chief assumed office.

    Residents believe the attacks are in response to recent military gains against the sect under the army chief.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has given the military a December 31 deadline to crush the uprising that has killed some 17,000 and displaced around 2.6 million people since 2009.

     

  • Tension in Kaduna as soldiers clash with ZakyZaky’s ‘men’

    There was tension yesterday in Kaduna, following Saturday’s clash between the convoy of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Buratai and supporters of the Islamic Shiite sect leader, Sheikh Yakubu El ZakZaky.

    The whereabouts of Sheikh Zakzaky was unknown last night, according to the sect, amid reports that he might have been arrested.

    The Army said it took a justifiable action and urged Nigerians to remain calm.

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai called for calm, as sect members protested to the Government House. He said he visited Zaria where the clash occurred. The governor claimed to have spoken to Gen. Buratai and Sheikh Zakyzaky. He also visited Zaria.

    In a statement, the sect claimed that the wife, a son, the second-in-command to the leader were killed in the shootout with soldiers on Saturday.

    It alleged a military siege to its leader’s Zaria home.

    Sources said soldiers, on receiving an alert that the sect members were regrouping, mobilised and surrounded El-Zakzaky’s home at Gyallesu,  Zaria.

    An associate of the Shi’ite leader, Malam Aliyu Abba, said residents could not sleep throughout the night.

    The sect alleged that El-Zakzaky was whisked away by soldiers after destroying his home.

    The statement, entitled: ‘Indiscriminate killing of members of the Islamic Movement by the Nigerian Army in Zaria’, was signed by President of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Malam Ibrahim Musa.

    It alleged that the wife of its leader, Malama Zeenat Ibraheem Zakzaky, his son, Aliyu Ibraheem Zakzaky, the sect’s leader in Kano and the adjudged second-in-command to Sheikh Zakzaky, Sheikh Muhammad Turi, the group’s spokesman, Malam Ibrahim Usman and Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed were among those killed by soldiers.

    The statement said: “Following the alleged blockade of the route of the Chief of Army Staff by members of the movement, the Army brutally descended on harmless members of the movement, killing indiscriminately.

    “Leading members of the Islamic movement and other members as well, were killed by soldiers, including leader of the Kano Centre, Sheikh Muhammad Turi, Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed, Malam Ibrahim Usman and Sister Jummai Gilima.

    “Also killed were Sayyid Aliy, son of leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), wife of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), Malama Zeenat Ibraheem  and  others. More are being killed as at the time of this statement.

    “The sporadic killings took place at three locations including home of the revered leader of the movement at Gyallesu, the Husainiyya Bakiyatullah at the GRA and the Darur Rahma on the Zaria-Jos Road where many harmless people were killed.

    “The killing was so brutal at Gyallesu that even those injured  were identified and killed in cold blood by the soldiers. As at the time of writing this statement, the victims run into their hundreds, if not thousands.

    “Considering the gross violation of fundamental human rights and extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the Army, the Islamic Movement condemns these unjustifiable acts.

    “We state categorically that the claim by the Army that members attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff was a blatant lie, as the Army came back to launch their attack more than an hour after the COAS passed.

    “The Federal Government, through its military, is now on the rampage, in an all-out war with the Islamic movement, its members and structures. The scale of this attack will suggest it was meticulously planned by authorities and now being executed ruthlessly. The alleged attack on COAS Burutai was just an alibi.

    “Therefore, with all pointers at the government as the contractor of the killings, we call on Nigerians and the international community to intervene and seek redress for the victims and their family, as many innocent people have unjustifiably been killed and many others injured.

    “In the meantime, there is no idea as to the whereabouts of leader of the movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) nor his present condition, and aggrieved members of the movement across the country have taken to the streets in protests.”

    Governor El Rufai’s spokesman Samuel Aruwan, in a statement, said: “Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has appealed for calm and peace. The governor has spoken on the telephone with Sheikh Zakzaky and later went to Zaria.

    “He met the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur  Butatai, in the depot of the Nigerian Army in Zaria after the passing out parade. The situation is calm and security has been tightened in Zaria,” Aruwan said.

  • 10 killed as soldiers, El-Zakzaky supporters clash in Zaria

    10 killed as soldiers, El-Zakzaky supporters clash in Zaria

    •Army: It was assasination attempt on Chief of Army Staff
    •Military attack was unprovoked says sect

     A pall of tension descended on Zaria, Kaduna State yesterday after soldiers killed at least 10 supporters of outspoken Shi’tte leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, during a clash between the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur  Buratai, and the Shi’tte members.

    The development sparked a war of words between the army and the sect following claim that   members of the Muslim Brotherhood had attempted to assassinate General Buratai.

    “Shiites attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria”, was the  way Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman broke the news  in a tweet under his official tweet handle, @HQNigerianArmy which was also posted on the Nigerian Army website last night.

    He later issued a formal statement, saying: “The Shiite Sect on the orders of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky today (yesterday) in Zaria attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff while on his way to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

    “The sect numbering hundreds carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects. The barricade was obviously a deliberate attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff and members of his entourage while on a legitimate official assignment as Special Guest of Honour at the passing out parade which had earlier been widely publicised.

    “The troops responsible for the safety and security of the Chief of Army Staff on hearing explosion and firing were left with no choice than to defend him and the convoy at all cost as well as open up the barricaded road for law abiding citizens. This is in line with the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated from any individual or groups and should not be allowed to repeat itself.

    “We wish to implore all Nigerians to continue to be law abiding and remain conscious of other people’s right to life, freedom of movement and passage. The Chief of Army escaped unhurt and continued with his duties.”

    The sect dismissed the allegation as a lie, wondering how unarmed people would want to assassinate a service chief.

    Its spokesman, Ibrahim Usman, in a counter statement, said:

    “At noon today (yesterday) armed soldiers were seen in the precincts of Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria, where members of the Islamic Movement were to carry out the hoisting of flag to usher in the new month of Maulud, the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam.

    “Similar occasion was previously carried out on the same spot with free traffic flow under the supervision of the Movement’s traffic warders.

    “When some brothers met the soldiers to understand the mission of the soldiers, they took position and opened fire indiscriminately, killed many and took away seven of the casualties to an unknown location.

    “Based on the foregoing, we believe that the military had pre-planned this and had acted according to their mischievous script. They came with their cameramen, videotaping the whole incidence while it lasted.

    “We are however surprised that, spokesman of the military Colonel Kuka Sheka shamelessly came out in the media and issued a press statement to say, that it was an assassination attempt on the Chief of Army Staff on the order of the movement’s leader.

    “Why was it that there were no casualties on the side of the military, if it were to be an assassination attempt? What happened was never a clash, but a continuation of act of terrorism by the Nigerian military on the Movement, as was the case in the past.

    “We are not surprised by this action, as there were reports spread by the same military the night before that the Shi’ites were to avenge their dead by hired thugs on Friday in Gabari, a village in Zaria.

    “The same military also spread rumour that the Shi’ites had killed soldiers, all in attempt to justify today’s (yesterday’s) dastardly act.

    “Kuka Sheka should know that once bitten twice shy. The 2014 massacre of 34 members of the Islamic Movement, including three of Sheikh Zakzaky’s children by the military; the attempt on Sheikh Zakzaky’s convoy by the same military are still on our minds.

    “No government can flourish successfully with disoriented military, full of trigger-itchy personnel and security operatives trained by CIA and Mossad.

    “Until the present government fishes out this cabal in the military and brings the culprits to book, we will believe the government is condoning, violence and terrorism on innocent citizens.”

    An eye witness Yusuf Abubakar said, “I saw two soldiers asking the Shi’ite members to remove the barricade but they refused only for the soldiers to open fire on them.

    “Suddenly, there was confusion everywhere. I saw more than 30 corpses on the ground before soldiers took them away.”

    Another eye witness who pleaded anonymity told The Nation that, “the soldiers were armed to the teeth as they came in about three Hilux vans and armoured personnel carriers.

    “They were pleading with the Shi’tte members to clear the way for the Army Chief who was being expected.

    “Rather than comply, members of the Islamic Movement said that they had blocked the road for security reasons. They began brandishing clubs and swords, chanting ‘’Allahu Akbar’’(God is great).

    “A few shots followed   and we all dispersed. Some Shi’ttes lost their lives in the process.”

    El-Zakzaky himself could not be immediately reached but his followers branded the army’s version of the story as an unfair and unjust portrayal of the incident.

    Yesterday’s incident is the latest in the series of clashes between security agents and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

    In one of such encounters in July last year, three sons of El-Zakzaky were killed allegedly by soldiers.

    The army dismissed the allegation at the time.

    But the United Kingdom-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) issued a report blaming soldiers for what it called shooting and killing of defenceless members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria between July 25 and 26.

    It said that shortly after the Jumat prayers on July 25,the Shi’tte members  embarked on the traditional Al-Quds procession done in support of the Palestinian Cause following the same route it has followed in the last 33 years.

    The report said 34 defenceless members of the group were murdered in cold blood as they marched through the streets of Zaria, in Kaduna State.

    About 100 others were injured, it said citing interviews with victims, their families, witnesses.

    The IHRC also obtained a video footage of soldiers firing at unarmed civilians at the end of the procession.

    Besides, it said that it had proof that many of those arrested died in military custody, unable to withstand the brutality they were subjected to by the soldiers.

    The procession ended at about 4:30 p.m. and participants, said to be thousands began to disperse stretching over about three kilometres from the meeting point, before soldiers attacked them.

    Soldiers allegedly confronted volunteers managing traffic at the PZ Junction on the criteria they were using to give priority pass to cars.

    The truck in which the soldiers were driving was allowed to pass only for them to start shooting at protesters indiscriminately.

    The IHRC said: “This appears to have been a smokescreen for the attacks, because even as they were being given priority passage, the soldiers started shooting at demonstrators from a very close distance. Ishaq Abdullah was shot and bundled into the army vehicle. The soldiers then sped off, went around the block of shops and cut off a large group who were at the tail end of the procession from the main body. They took positions near these shops and started to shoot at the crowd. The volunteers and other non-partisan eye-witnesses stated that the volunteers did not have weapons and did not instigate the violence.”

    Last month, about 20 members of the sect were blown up in an bomb attack during a procession from Kano to Zaria.

    A suspected suicide bomber who pretended to be part of the procession set off a bomb at Dakasonye village in Garun Mallam Local Government of Kano State.

    Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack and called the Shi’ttes heretics,but El-Zakzaky said his group knew those behind the attack.

    “We know the names of the contractors and those contracted to commit the massacre, their identity is not hidden from us. Therefore we cannot be cowed by an imaginary Boko Haram tale, let them tell it to the fools and the ignorant. They should know that they are dealing with those with foresight, wisdom and intelligence, and above all with the real religion,” he said.

    “There is nothing like a suicide bomber. They torture and drug unsuspecting captives and made them carriers of the explosives which they detonated amidst people.

  • The plight of deceased soldiers’ families

    I write to humbly bring to the notice of Mr. President, the plight and injustice been suffered by the kiths and kin of deceased soldiers, notably soldiers that died in the ongoing onslaught against Boko Haram.

    On June 14th, I received a call from the military authorities in Yola, Adamawa State, informing me that my elder brother in the army (Amos Erekose) was killed by Boko Haram fighters on May 16, 2015 in an operation code named ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’. As devastating and heartrending as that incidence could be, the adverse effect on every member of the family is better imagined than said. But why did it have to take so long to notify me?

    However, the gross and unacceptable action of the whole matter is the stoppage of my late brother’s salary. I wish to use this medium to draw the attention of Mr. President, the military high command, and the appropriate office of the Army to look into this injustice and identify those involved in this sharp practice. Enough of this wickedness, where some people benefit and thrive on the death of others. It is normal that under any employment condition, the salary of a worker who died in active service is paid for at least three months after his death, not to talk of a man who died fighting for his country.

    It beats me hollow why my late brother’s salary has to be stopped abruptly just one month after his death.

    Mr. President, I wish to bring to your notice and passionately appeal for prompt and adequate compensation to the bereaved families.

    The nonchalant manner in the handling of safety and security of its officers by the Army leaves much to be desired. Devastating and most unfortunate as the case may be.

    It is my fervent prayers that the Boko Haram scourge will be a thing of the past soon.

    • Erekose Peter,

    Benin City, Edo State.

  • Please review pension cases of discharged soldiers

    I was enlisted in the Nigerian Army on November 10, 1967 as a patriotic Nigerian who believed in unity and decided to participate in crushing the civil war. I served in One Division Artillery throughout my service years.

    I and others were not forced to enlist to defend the unity of the country. We believed that if we failed to come out to confront the problem on time it will come knocking at every individual’s door. Listening to the Nigerian Army war jingles, “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.”

    In 1972 or there about, the Army sent a signal to all formations concerning demobilization in order to reduce surplus manpower to a manageable level with a distinct instruction that those who wanted to leave the Army should apply.

    Lots of people selected medical discharge option because the Army promised to train them in any vocation of their choice.  But it is known to many of us that sixty percent of the people chose medical discharge to avoid re-call by the Army in case of any future campaign that may warrant their recall.

    Those who were on voluntary discharge were abandoned by the Army despite the number of years put in the service of the country because we are honest and ready to be recalled in case of emergency.

    Therefore, on behalf of all the soldiers who chose voluntary discharge, I am pleading with the Chief of Army Staff and the Commander in-Chief President Mohammadu Buhari to help us so that our labour will not be in vain.  It is said that for evil to triumph, all it takes is for the righteous to remain silent.

    My email is: abioyeoyegbile@yahoo.com, phone number: 08035962452.

    • By Israel Oyegbile

     Sabo Tasha, Kaduna  

  • ‘How soldiers brutalised us’

    ‘How soldiers brutalised us’

    SOME men of the Nigerian Army may well need more reorientation on the reality that the country is in a democracy and that brutalisation of civilians is out of fashion.

    This was the submission of Lasisi Sherifdeen and Ayorinde Adewale, two men who were allegedly brutalised on Friday evening by three soldiers close to Total Filling Station, Mushin, Lagos. According to the duo, they were taken to the barracks at the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi and forced to pay for repairs of a vehicle they said they were not guilty of damaging.

    Sherifdeen said, “We were in a little traffic along Mushin Road, close to the Total Filling Station and Road Safety office; suddenly their bus was trying to manoeuvre through, creating a third lane in the process on the two-lane road, and brushing our car, a Sienna, as they made to get into our front. But rather than apologise, they came down in a commando-like fashion and started accusing us of brushing and damaging their bus.

    “Surprised, my brother, Ayorinde Adewale, who drove the car, said ‘But you are the ones who brushed our car, this is a democracy, you should be apologising to us.’ This apparently infuriated them and they immediately dealt him blows. They also dealt me blows and tried to force my door on the passenger’s side open. Seeing that the door was locked, they moved over, opened the driver’s door and continued beating, dragging my brother out and stomping on him.”

    Seeing that it was getting out of hand, we started pleading with them to let us go, but rather than soften down, they intensified the beating. I approached the one who looked the most senior and an officer, his name tag read: M. Bukar. He wore a rank with an eagle and a star, I think he’s a colonel; but he ignored me and they continued the beating, tearing my clothes in the process; you can see that I’m virtually in rags. Look at my brother’s face, it is full of bruises. They also bundled my brother into the bus and ordered me to drive along to the barracks. As I made to drive the car, the door of my car, which they had forced open, brushed their bus. This further infuriated them and they intensified the beating. This time, they bundled me into the bus as well, while one of them drove my car. They totally ignored the crowd that had now gathered and was pleading with them to let us go.”

    He added, “Inside their barrack at Oshodi, they ordered us to start rolling on the bare floor, while one of them went to get their panel-beater and painter. Thereafter, we were charged N13,000 for the replacement of one of their bus lights and for the damage on the panel. We told them we didn’t have enough cash but they told us to use our ATM cards or be locked up in the barrack until we could pay. So we went to an ATM at a First Bank branch in the barrack, where we withdrew the money and paid. It was only after that that we were allowed to go.”

    Sherifdeen, who resides in Shasha, Akowonjo said the soldiers conduct was most unbefitting of proper training and sense of responsibility. He wondered why they should be treated like that in their country and hope that the Nigerian Army authorities would look into the matter.

    When The Nation contacted the Army spokesperson attached to the barrack, Lt. Commander Patricia Onyekwere Friday evening, she claimed she was not aware of the incident but promised to get back to our correspondent after due consultation. She was yet to get back as at press time, Saturday evening, and was no longer picking or returning calls to phone.