Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja has set up a high powered committee to investigate allegations made by former Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, that soldiers are colluding with armed militants to kill innocent citizens across the country.

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai said that it has become necessary for the Army to look deeper into the allegations by General Danjuma if it must continue to earn the trust and respect of the Nigerian populace.

“Statements of this nature could damage the reputation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and thus cannot be ignored if the NA is to continue to earn the trust and respect of the Nigerian populace,” Buratai said.

“Thus it became imperative for the NA to set up this Panel to confirm the veracity, or otherwise, of these allegations.”

Buratai, who made this known while inaugurating the eight-member committee headed by Major-General John Nimyel, charged the panel to focus on the crux of the matter and expedite actions towards unravelling the true situation of things.

The eight-member committee has Major-General John Nimyel as chairman, while Colonel Gambo Mohammed is to serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee are Brigadier-Generals Saka Abubakar, Sani Mohammed, Kayode Olajide, Alexander Ridley and Stanly Eze.

Also on the committee are Abudu Aladoja from the Nigerian Bar Association, and Mrs. Comfort David from the Civil Society Organization.

Inaugurating the committee at Army Headquarters in Abuja, the Chief Of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, who said the members were selected based on their track record, charged them to thoroughly investigate and unravel the allegations made by the former Army chief.

Buratai, describing the allegations as a burning national issue, urged the team to visit Taraba State and other states where allegations over misconduct of soldiers have been reported.

He also charged the committee to travel far and wide and meet with stakeholders and local communities so as to come up with a comprehensive report.

He said the Nigerian Army has over the years conducted operations in line with its constitutional responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and providing aid to civil authorities whenever it is called upon for such a task.

However, the actions of the Army in recent military operations, particularly in Taraba State, have been criticized by individuals and interest groups from different sectors of society.

“Some of these concerns have come from the State Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and very senior citizens from the state,” Buratai noted in an extensive statement.

“Most recently, on the 24 Mar 18, a former COAS Lt Gen TY Danjuma (rtd), speaking during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University, alleged that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) collude with armed bandits and other criminal elements. Statements of this nature could damage the reputation of the AFN and thus cannot be ignored if the NA is to continue to earn the trust and respect of the Nigerian populace. Thus it became imperative for the NA to set up this Panel to confirm the veracity or otherwise of these allegations.

“As members you were carefully selected based on your proven record of integrity and meticulousness. I have no doubt that you will do a great job. The Terms of Reference given to you is robust and has been articulated to enable you focus on the crux of the matter and expedite your actions towards unravelling the true situation of things.

“I have directed AHQ DAPP and the various formations to provide you with all the necessary logistics required for the completion of your assigned tasks. You are enjoined to visit all flash points and interact with various stakeholders and interest groups in Taraba State in order to come up with a comprehensive report.  Let me hasten to add that the task at hand is a burning national issue, hence you are to treat this assignment with the seriousness it deserves.

“To this end, by the powers conferred on me as the Chief of Army Staff, I hereby officially inaugurate the constituted panel to investigate the allegations made against the NA in the course of operations in Taraba State.

The terms of reference given to the committee, Daily Sun gathered, are:

“To ascertain the timeline of clashes/security breaches that occurred in Taraba state from year 2015 till date.
“To ascertain and document the military responses to try identified clashes from yesterday 2015, during OP MESA, EX AYEM AKPATUMA  and other operations/exercises in Taraba state,
“To ascertain if documentary operational records/diaries on each operation/exercise were kept, including the availability of after actions reviews at tactical and operational levels specifically at battalion, brigade, sector and division
“To ascertain the role and actions taken on the part of commanders of units involved in the stated operations and exercises.
“To interview, document and verify claims made by local groups, NGOs as well as other Nigerian citizens against the NA
“To ascertain the veracity of statements made on 24? March, 18, by lt-gen TY Danjuma (Rtd), where he stated that the armed forces of Nigeria are not neutral but collude with, covet and facilitate the movement of armed bandits and other criminals
“To ascertain the availability and understanding among troops operating in the identified states about the rules of engagement and appropriate conducts during NA operations/exercise
“To suggest measures to improve NA combat operations, media operations and civil military relations
“To provide any other relevant information and observations on the conduct of NA operations in Taraba state
“To make appropriate recommendations that will assist ASA in decision making among others.”