Nigerian Army To Gumi: We Don’t Deploy Troops Along Ethnic Or Religious Lines
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Nigerian Army on Monday said that as a national institution, it does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.
The Nigerian Army which stated this while reacting to a video clip in which Sheikh Ahmed Gumi was heard saying that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits, said that the Force remains the pride of the nation and has continually defended the territorial integrity of the nation.
It therefore warned Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other opinion merchants to exercise restraint in order not to drag the image and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute.
The Nigerian Army which stated these in a statement by its Director, Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, further said that comments suggesting to mudslide the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army are not only inimical but tended towards creating bad blood amongst Nigerians.
Yerima said; “Furthermore, most operations conducted by the Nigerian Army were done in strict adherence to rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry without any exception.
“It is therefore, disturbing that an opinion leader would deliberately want to disparage the Nigeria Army to portray it in bad light.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to seize this opportunity to advise opinion leaders to be more courteous while expressing their views, taking into cognisance the imperative for national security, particularly at this difficult times when our gallant troops have redoubled their efforts to tackle the myriads of security challenges facing our dear nation.
“What our troops need now is public support to discharge their responsibility effectively and in the most professional manner,” the Army spokesman said.
A trending video-clip showed Sheik Gumi telling bandits in their den that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims, adding that they should be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non- Muslims.