The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said that Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) was ill- informed in faulting the approach adopted by Chief of Defence Staff, CDS,General Christopher Musa in addressing the crisis in Plateau State and other hotspots in the country.
It said Civil Society Organisations should seek credible information and cross check their information with the military authorities on issues bordering on national security before rushing to the press in order not to mislead the public.
This is contained in a statement issued by Acting Director Defence Information, DDI, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Monday, in Abuja, in response to HURIWA press statement titled:”HURIWA faults CDS approach to Plateau crisis”
According DDI , “the attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to a statement credited to the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and published by Guardian online Newspaper on 4 February 2024, faulting the formation of a Fact-Finding Team tasked to elicit practical workable solutions to the prolonged crisis in some parts of Nigeria, Plateau State inclusive.
“For the record, the Fact-Finding Team headed by an experienced retired senior military officer was constituted by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, following the deployment of military hardwares including highly trained intelligence personnel and special forces to troubled areas of the State to ensure perpetrators of dastardly attacks are brought to justice.
“Consequent upon this, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja visited Plateau State on 27 January, 2024 and gave the troops specific orders to deal decisively with those fermenting troubles leading to loss of lives and properties. Recently, numerous intelligence-driven operations have been conducted leading to the arrest of key suspects who are currently undergoing interrogation.
“It is therefore pertinent to note, that the team was constituted as part of the non-kinetic approach of the DHQ in resolving the situation. Also, the team’s responsibility spreads across troubled areas in the country and not limited to Plateau State alone.
“The DHQ calls on HURIWA being one of the respected human rights group to cultivate the habit of seeking credible information on issues especially as it concerns National Security before approaching the media.
“It is evident the group was ill-informed and could not spend time researching on efforts the military had made to restore normalcy in troubled areas of the country.
“The DHQ would have naturally overlook the ignorance of HURIWA on this matter, but finds it necessary to educate civil society organizations on the responsible use of the media not to disseminate falsehoods and create tension where non is existing.
“We, therefore advise HURIWA to henceforth be passionate to seek adequate information on issues of national importance and stop misleading the public deliberately. The DHQ would take strong legal action should such mistake repeat itself.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa appreciates the support of the Nigerians to our troops in the field making unquantifiable sacrifices to ensure peace in our nation.
“The CDS is confident the troops will stamp out criminality in Plateau State and the country at large.”
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) had in a statement signed by it’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of violence, particularly the Christmas Eve attacks on over 20 communities in the Barkin-Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos areas.
HURIWA also faulted the action taken by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa describing it as lackadaisical and inadequate approach to addressing the ongoing violence in Plateau State.
While criticising the approach, the rights group questioned the accountability and effectiveness of key security figures, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police in Plateau state.
“Gunmen wreaked havoc as they brazenly attacked Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani villages in the Barkin-Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos areas of Plateau State. Residents were left defenceless, enduring continuous shootings and the burning of houses for over 48 hours during the onslaught.
“However, instead of employing intelligence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators swiftly, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, opted for a different approach. The decision to set up a Special Fact-Finding Team led by retired Major-General Augustine Agundu is rather a move politicising terrorism.
“We deem the team’s visit to the governor as an inadequate response to the gravity of the situation, focusing on preaching religious tolerance and peace rather than taking concrete actions to address the crisis.
“We strongly advocate for a more decisive and strategic approach by the CDS to unmask the culprits behind the Christmas Eve carnage in Plateau State. Sending a team to engage in diplomatic activities is inappropriate for the military. We call for a shift towards measures that actively contribute to ending the violence,” HURIWA stated.
The group insisted that individuals responsible for the security lapses, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, should be subjected to thorough investigations.
It underscored the importance of accountability as a fundamental aspect of governance, urging the CDS to overhaul the current strategy to prevent future occurrences.
It emphasised that if those entrusted with security responsibilities failed to act while terrorists unleashed havoc, they must be held accountable, adding that accountability forms the bedrock of effective governance.