Alleged Secret Burial of Soldiers: Nigerians Entitled To Know The Truth
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar as expressed shock over the report by the Wall Street Journal that scores of Nigerian soldiers were secretly buried at night by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
Atiku noted that the alleged secret burial was carried out in order to hide the true state of the war on terror, stressing that he felt a sense of heartbreak and shock.
The former vice president said that he is shocked that such a thing could happen under a democracy, such as Nigeria is supposed to be, adding that he shudder to think that the cover-up of such an event of epic proportions can be true.
Atiku in a statement he personally signed, further said; “Heartbreak for the families and friends of those soldiers who, if the report is true, have lost their loved ones, without being allowed to bury them or even to have any sense of closure as regards their fate.”
He also said that according to the WSJ report, “But the sprawling secret graveyard in Maiduguri and an official cemetery at the base, the operational command for the northeastern front in Borno State, now hold the bodies of at least 1,000 soldiers killed since the terror groups began an offensive last summer, according to soldiers and military officials—some of whom estimated a far higher death toll.”
Atiku noted that the men and women of our armed forces are our first, second and last defence against our domestic and foreign enemies and should be treated with love, respect, dignity and appreciation for the invaluable service they render to Nigeria.
In his words; “I cannot fathom that in the space of a year, scores of these great patriots were killed and buried secretly without their families being told. I hesitate to believe that deceit on such a grand scale is even possible.
“To ensure that we get to the bottom of this matter, I urge that a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by a non-partisan and reputable jurist, be inaugurated to investigate the findings of the Wall Street Journal. “While this is occurring, I also strongly urge that a panel of inquiry comprising distinguished former military officers be set up to investigate and report to Nigerians the true state of the war on terror and what must be done to ensure Nigeria brings a speedy end to the ongoing insurgency.”
The former vice president said Nigeria must ensure prudent use of finances, to enable the nation redistribute national resources in such a way that ensures that our military and security forces are well armed and well remunerated.
According to him; “Even the death of one soldier affects me. But the alleged cover-up of the deaths of scores of soldiers is a national emergency that should shock all statesmen and leaders of thoughts into action to save Nigeria.”
