The chief of defence staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, has said that the armed forces and the Joint Task Force (JTF) will not enter into dialogue with the Boko Haram, saying that the soldiers are purely in Maiduguri, Borno State to restore law and order that has eluded the state for some time.
The CDS disclosed this to journalists at the JTF headquarters in Maiduguri, yesterday shortly after addressing the JTF troops during his working visit to the state.
He added that he was in Maiduguri to see officers and men of the JTF and listen to their problems and challenges with a view to solving such problems, saying that the JTF had a herculean task before them.
He said: “I am happy with your performance in Maiduguri as there is remarkable improvement, and on behalf of the commander-in-chief, I thank you all and hope you will continue with the work, as the government will continue to support you.”
He reiterated that the JTF was not against anybody, section, group or religion but in Maiduguri to fight those making life difficult for others regardless of which sect they belong to, adding that the JTF would have no mercy for anybody caught throwing bombs or shooting innocent people.
“Terrorism is a new phenomenon in Nigeria but our intelligence is getting better and definitely we will track down those throwing bombs, shooting and killing innocent people,” the CDS said.
On those calling for withdrawal of military in Borno State, CDS said: “Nigeria is a free society and everybody is entitled to his opinion, while they were busy calling for the withdrawal of the military, I am busy re-enforcing my troops until peace is restored to the state.”
He said most of those calling for withdrawal of troops were the big people living in the Government Reserved Areas (GRA) and most of these bombings and killings were taking place in crowded areas and markets, which did not affect them.
On the excesses of the JTF while carrying out their operations, he said five soldiers were currently facing trial and if found guilty, would be subjected to military discipline as contained in the rule of engagement.
He called on the general public to cooperate with the JTF by giving them useful information that could lead to the arrest of those terrorising innocent people, as he said the sect members were living among them.
Meanwhile, the Boko Haram has said that it is determined to continue to remain indivisible until it achieved its objectives.
According to the group, it will remain one indivisible entity, saying that, “There is no split and there is no splinter group. We shall continue until the governments hearken to our demand”.
In an e-mail sent to media houses by Yusuf Mohammed from the website, www.yusufislamicbrothers.blogspot.com, the sect stated, “We call on all true faithful who believe in our cause to join us.
“We know the sponsors of Akhwat Akwop and are ready for them. Governor Jonah Jang, Patrick Yakowa and Murtala Nyako are their sponsors.”
The sect added that the SSS had saved its face from what would have been a huge national embarrassment by releasing Hon. Yakubu Bityong Nkom, a honorable member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly July 20, 2011, because they were on the verge of storming his detention facility to effect his release after the successful conduct of our survey and intelligence gathering. They should release all other innocent citizens illegally detained without further delay.
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