Authorities of the Nigerian Army have said that the force should not be blamed for the killings that took place in Southern Kaduna, since it was not its function to maintain peace in any society.
Making the disclosure at a briefing in Abuja, Chief of Training and Operations, Major General David Ahmadu, noted that the Nigerian Police is saddled with the responsibility of restoring peace whenever crisis starts anywhere.
Responding to questions on alleged delay of the military to quickly respond to recent killings in Southern Kaduna, the CTOP denied reports that the Army and other security agencies failed to bring peace during the crisis.
“It is not the function or role of the Army to ensure peace ab-initio. It is the duty of the Police. And that is why you do not find the Army all over the place.
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“But where the Police can no longer function or continue to keep the peace the way they are supposed to do, there is a procedure before the Army intervenes. That was what has played out in Southern Kaduna”.
“It is not true that there was failure on the part of the military; no. You must have observed that with our presence there, there is relative peace. Now that we are there, the problem is being solved”.
Ahmadu pointed out that in line with the Army’s intervention in Southern Kaduna, it will embark on Operation Ex Harbin Kunama to strengthen existing peace initiatives in the zone.
He said the operation will be held in Birnin Gwari area of Southern Kaduna and other contiguous zones in Plateau and Bauchi states.
“The Army is also billed to carry out the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship, NASAC, in Sambisa Forest in view of the need to secure the area from the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists” he said.
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