The authorities of the Joint Military Task Force, code named Operation Restore Hope, yesterday accused some politicians in Bayelsa State of trying to prevail on Defense Chiefs to sack the leadership of the task Force over frivolous allegations of supporting one candidate against another, saying such claims are misguided and a sign of desperation by politicians in the state.
The Joint military Task Force argued that though they remained committed to providing security in the region and not bothered by the campaign of calumny by the politicians, “the JTF took exception to the attempt by misguided and desperate politicians to involve the Task Force in their struggle for power”.
According to the statement issued yesterday by the Joint Media Coordinator of the Task Force, Lt. Col. Timothy Anthinga, the information at the disposal of the Task Force indicated that the plot was to erroneously present the JTF not only as political and partisan, but also as an agency whose leadership had been tainted and compromised.
“The recent publication in a national daily of a purported redeployment of the leadership of the JTF was part of this plot. The aim of these desperate politicians is to hoodwink defence authorities into making changes in the JTF, a few months to the April 2012 Gubernatorial Elections, to allow them time to create confusion and promote insecurity in the state, while the new leadership tries to settle down.”???? ?
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“In view of this unfortunate situation, the JTF wishes to assure all concerned that it remains apolitical and non-partisan.