Buratai Frowns At Political and Religious Leaders For Keeping Mum In The Killings Of Innocent Citizens

Buratai Frowns At Political and Religious Leaders For Keeping Mum In The Killings Of Innocent Citizens

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has frowned at the killing of innocent Nigerians and atrocities committed against law abiding citizens in different parts of the country, and political and traditional leaders of such communities where this happened either keep sealed lips or do not condemn such barbarism.

Speaking when he received a delegation from Plateau State, led by Governor Simon Lalong who came to condole the Nigerian Army on the unfortunate killing of Major General Idris Alkali (rtd), Buratai said such silence in such situations portray a tacit support of the atrocities of the youths and groups perpetrating the evil, adding that it could encourage others in future.

It would be recalled that late Major General Alkali who was killed few weeks after his retirement from the Army was traced to the Dura-Du pond where his car was recovered before his body also in Jos. But while the investigation and search was going on, no prominent Plateau State indigene, government official or traditional institution spoke out to condemn the dastardly act or vilify the youths.

The Army Chief said, “One of the purposes of government is security. If there is no security, the peace and development required for the society to grow will not be there because of the security breaches that will occur.

“In many places, these breaches have been there for so long because authorities who are supposed to take care of security of their citizens have reneged on their duties. The issue here is not only about General Alkali but also many others which have gone unnoticed.

Citing an instance, Buratai said one of the vehicles that was recovered from the Du point involved a case in 2013, noting that the police and others involved in the case have since abandoned it and declared the case inconclusive before the car was recovered by the army.

“In the same Jos, we had the Task Force all these years, other security agencies were there and nothing came out of the investigation.

“What this means is that there is a need to review the security architecture on the ground, not only in Jos, but other parts of the country as well. We must be decisive.

The government and community leaders must be open in condemning and dealing with those who commit these types of atrocities on law abiding citizens because most times when there is silence maybe because of ethnic cleavages, it is seen as a tacit protection for the youths.

He warned service commanders deployed in crisis areas that sanctions await them if security breaches are committed henceforth against Nigerians in their areas of responsibility and they fail to get those involved and ensure investigations into such misdemeanors are conclusive.

While appreciating the governor and the other members of the delegation, Buratai said, “The ball is now in your court. We will appreciate if the case is given diligent prosecution and the culprits brought to book. We will appreciate the governor to personally monitor the prosecution.

In a solemn voice, the Army Chief told the delegation made up of the State Exco, Legislators etc that, “Major General Idris Alkali was an officer that cannot hurt a fly. He was an easy going officer who remained always focused and determined at all times. He was very careful even about his utterances. We will really miss him. His family will miss him more.

“It is very unfortunate that after retiring and we are hoping he was going to rest, the same society that he gave his all for is the same society that has taken his life.

Earlier, Governor Lalong commiserated with the COAS and the Nigerian Army, expressing regrets that such an unfortunate incident happened to a retired Major General of the Nigerian army, which has been in the forefront of efforts to bring peace to Plateau state.

“I came here on behalf of the people of Plateau state. The visit is quite unusual because it is a sad moment for us. It is sad not only for the people of Plateau but also the federal government. You are doing your best to bring peace to the people of the state yet this happened. We appeal that you don’t allow it to impact your duties”.