The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, yesterday denied the allegation that troops of the Nigerian Army deployed to Plateau State are biased in their operations.
Lagbaja said it was incorrect to accuse the Nigerian Army personnel, who have been tirelessly working to restore peace in the state, of being biased in their operations, adding that the organisation is impartial in its operations.
The army chief emphasised that the Nigerian Army is composed of individuals from diverse tribes and religions. Hence, it should not be regarded as personal property that can be manipulated by any single individual.
He stated this while responding to allegations by some members of the communities regarding impartiality in army operations, during a visit to NTV, one of the affected communities in the Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
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While addressing the members of the affected communities, Lagbaja said, “Nigerian army is a people’s army. In the organisation, we don’t look at faces. We don’t ask for names or from where people come before composing them into some units and deploying them into areas of needs.
“The same thing with the troops deployed to Plateau. The troops we have in your communities are Nigerians deployed to do difficult jobs and that is what they are determined to do. We are officers who are of Yoruba, Igbo Berom, Fulani, Tangale parentages who are deployed in your communities. They are working to ensure peace and stability is maintained.
“I want to say it clearly that the GOC was carefully selected based on his pedigree to come to Plateau and based on the conviction that we know he would do a good job. I want to appeal to you that you should not accuse the troops of taking sides because I know they are not taking sides. They are working for you. You should not tie the problem to the GOC. The drivers of this problem are within the communities hiding among people.
“So, I want to appeal to you. Don’t denigrate the effort of these noble men who are doing a lot to safeguard lives and properties. Things have gone wrong and we understand perfectly. To show the good intent of the government, all security chiefs and top government officials are here on New Year eve to find lasting solutions to the crisis.”
