KEY POINTS
- Residents warned not to harbour criminals or to become military targets.
- The military said it would probe the Silame incident thoroughly.
- Towards a greater emphasis of regional collaboration against national security threats.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa warns Sokoto residents not to harbor criminals, as the military will treat such individuals as legitimate targets.
He stated this, while speaking at the visit to the troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA at the 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto. According to him, the military would not allow communities to harbour bandits or any other criminal elements.
‘I am sure the ones that escape today we will fish them out tomorrow; I call on everyone not to harbour suspected criminals, be it Lakurawa or bandits.’ ‘Those who do that are making themselves legitimate targets,’ Musa warned, but he also urged civilians to expose criminals and not help them.
On Silame incident and military operations
Musa added that the military would investigate allegations of civilian casualties during a recent operation in Silame Local Government on Christmas Day.
So, we try to avoid mistakes as much as we can. We will investigate any errors on the part of the operation. And we have video of the incident – we’ll review the incident thoroughly, he said.
The CDS urged the media to stop giving undue publicity to bandits and other criminal elements, and called for regional cooperation with neighboring countries – Niger, Chad, Benin – to fight cross border challenges.
Speaking at a luncheon with troops, Musa applauded the dedication of personnel involved in the operations tagged Operation FASAN YAMMA and earlier deployments to fight Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Musa, however, assured that the Armed Forces will maintain its operational tempo towards achieving transformative victories in 2025 by showing timely care for troop welfare, resources.
During Musa’s visit, the military hospital was checked to see how soldiers are faring in their wounds; an illustration of the military’s devotion to taking care of its personnel.
