SAN FRANCISCO, April 01, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has expressed shock at the recent statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma, in which he asked Nigerians to defend themselves against attacks by bandits.
THEWILL recalls that the former Defence Minister, speaking at the maiden convocation and 10-year anniversary celebration of the Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo had based his call for self defence on what he branded collusion of the soldiers with bandits who have been making life miserable for Nigerians in parts of the country.
“If you are depending on the armed forces to stop the killings, you will all die one by one,” Danjuma had said.
“This ethnic cleansing must stop in Taraba State. It must stop in all the states of Nigeria. Otherwise Somalia would be a child’s play.”
However, Presidential Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, responding via a statement in Abuja, appealed to prominent Nigerians who have national influence to use their positions wisely to promote unity in the country and not to inflame emotional passions and threaten National Security.
The Presidency noted that it was worrisome that criminal gangs would feel justified in defying legal governing and democratic institutions, and authority of legitimately elected democratic government if unrestrained pronouncements were made.
He said silence can be dignified although it can be misinterpreted and exploited sometimes.
“It is both shocking and scary to hear the recent comments by a senior citizen calling for Nigerians to defend themselves.
“The Presidency commends the Nigerian military’s efforts to maintain peace and stability, despite being pulled in various directions by elements determined to destabilize the country and government for their selfish reasons.
“What country would survive if its citizens rise against the country’s organized, trained and equipped military?
“We advise former leaders to take advantage of the various fora where people with a history of national security can offer advice to the government without resorting to the exploitation of emotional sentiments.
‘The civil war motto: “TO KEEP NIGERIA ONE IS A TASK THAT MUST BE DONE” rings very timely at this time in our nation’s history. We must be careful to avoid the mess that destroyed other African countries like Somalia.
“Silence can be dignified, but sometimes it can be misinterpreted and exploited. It is both shocking and scary to hear the recent comments by a senior citizen calling for Nigerians to defend themselves.
“What country would survive if its citizens rise against the country’s organised, trained and equipped military?
The Presidency further commended the military’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability, despite “being pulled in various directions by elements determined to destabilise the country and government for their selfish reasons.”
The presidency, however, advised former leaders to take advantage of the various fora where people with a history of national security can offer advice to the government without resorting to the exploitation of emotional sentiments.
