The call by former Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) that Nigerians should defend themselves when attacked has drawn the ire of the current Defence Minister, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), who described it as a “call to anarchy”.
Recall that at a maiden convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday, Danjuma had expressed doubt over the neutrality of the armed forces and their willingness to defend Nigerians against attack and called on Nigerians to defend themselves.
He said, “The Armed Forces are not neutral. They collude …with the armed bandits that kill people and kill Nigerians. They facilitate their movement. They cover them.”
But in a statement by his media aide, Tukur Gusau, the Defence Minister said, “A recent comment by one of the elder statesmen wherein he alleged that the military colluded with bandits to kill people and, therefore, called on them to rise and defend themselves outside constitutional provisions. This is highly uncalled for and is an invitation to anarchy and should be disregarded by well-meaning Nigerians.
“The efforts of the Nigeria Armed Forces towards restoration of peace, security and order in Nigeria are evidently clear and Nigerians continue to show appreciation for changing the security environment from what it was before.
“If anyone has evidence of wrongdoings or dereliction of duty against our troops should please bring forward such evidence through the appropriate channels for necessary action.”