DHQ leaving terrorists to chase HURIWA in Tinubu style of blaming critics for his incompletence
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has threatened to take a lawsuit against Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for allegedly misleading the public over the terrorist activities in Plateau which the security agencies have failed to stop.
DHQ is effectively borrowing a leaf from the tactics of Bola Tinubu, who is currently hiding in Paris and directing surrogates in Abuja, including Bayo Onanuga, to attack Atiku Abubakar for pointing out economic troubles the President has made worse rather than tackle.
The military high command alleged HURIWA spreads falsehood to create tension, instead of cultivating responsible use of the media, according to a statement issued on Monday by Defence Information Director Tukur Gusau, a Brigadier General.
The statement came after HURIWA at the weekend faulted the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, for the way he handles violence in Plateau.
A statement issued by HURIWA National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko expressed concern over the escalation of terrorism particularly the Christmas Eve attacks on more than 20 communities in the Barkin-Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos areas of the state.
HURIWA criticised especially the creation of a Special Fact-Finding Team led by retired Major General Augustine Agundu to investigate the root causes of the attacks.
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DHQ says HURIWA “ill-informed”
DHQ countered in its own statement that HURIWA is “ill-informed”.
It added: “For the record, the Fact-Finding Team headed by an experienced retired senior military officer was constituted by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, following the deployment of military hardwares including highly trained intelligence personnel and special forces to troubled areas of the State to ensure perpetrators of dastardly attacks are brought to justice.
“Consequent upon this, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja visited Plateau State on 27 January, 2024 and gave the troops specific orders to deal decisively with those fermenting troubles leading to loss of lives and properties.
“Recently, numerous intelligence-driven operations have been conducted leading to the arrest of key suspects who are currently undergoing interrogation.
“It is therefore pertinent to note, that the team was constituted as part of the non-kinetic approach of the DHQ in resolving the situation. Also, the team’s responsibility spreads across troubled areas in the country and not limited to Plateau State alone.
“The DHQ calls on HURIWA being one of the respected human rights groups to cultivate the habit of seeking credible information on issues especially as it concerns National Security before approaching the media.
“It is evident the group was ill-informed and could not spend time researching on efforts the military had made to restore normalcy in troubled areas of the country.
“The DHQ would have naturally overlooked the ignorance of HURIWA on this matter, but finds it necessary to educate civil society organizations on the responsible use of the media not to disseminate falsehoods and create tension where none exists.
“We therefore advise HURIWA to henceforth be passionate to seek adequate information on issues of national importance and stop misleading the public deliberately.
“The DHQ would take strong legal action should such a mistake repeat itself.
“The military high command said the CDS appreciated the support of the Nigerians to troops deployed on various operations across the country, for their “unquantifiable sacrifices” to ensure peace in our nation.
“The CDS is confident the troops will stamp out criminality in Plateau State and the country at large.”
