By Isaac Aregbesola

By EricJames Ochigbo

The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, has said that the change of currency and cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), if not well thought out, may affect operations of troops in the field.

Monguno made the observation when he appeared before an Ad hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on change of currency and cashless policy on Thursday in Abuja.

Represented by the Head of Defence Unit, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, the NSA said that even in advanced countries, such policies could affect operations of troops if not well implemented.

“Because of the sensitivity of some of this information that will come and bordering on security, there are things we cannot say in the media.

“Globally, military operations, even in first world countries, such policies, if not well properly thought out, will affect some certain operations.

“Some of our soldiers are deployed in places where they cannot actually access digital means of paying for their daily subsistence; that is the main issue that NSA has been talking about.

“It is important that this committee sits down and articulates better ways of actually addressing these issues,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ado Doguwa (APc-Kano) said that the committee was intrested in the implications of the policy on national security.

He said that the committee would interface with major stakeholders to determine the effect of the policy on the economy.

Doguwa said that from what the committee had so far gathered, the policy posed a challenge to agriculture, economy and security.

According to him, it is unpopular among the people, it has caused hardship and it may affect the forthcoming election.

Doguwa adjourned the meeting to Feb. 10 for the committee to meet with the Minister of Finance and the leadership of Printing and Minting as well as INEC boss. (NAN)(www.nanneww.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

———

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops of the armed forces have eliminated 77 terrorists in various operations, across theatres of operations in Northeast, North-Central and Northwest in the last two weeks.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, said this at a bi-weekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Danmadami said troops of Operation Hadin Kai operating in the Northeast, eliminated 56 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, apprehended 26 and rescued 59 victims within the period.

He said air component also eliminated many terrorists in recent air operations conducted at Gogore a terrorist hideout, Damboa, Tumbun Dila, Arege and nearby settlements in the western fringes of Tumbuns in Borno.

He said the battle damage assessment after the air operations revealed that, several terrorists were neutralised with their structures and logistics bases destroyed in the various air strikes.

Danmadami said a total of 340 terrorists and members of their families, comprising 12 adult males, 133 adult females and 195 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre.

He said the troops had on Jan. 27, raider a terrorists’ enclave at Yuwe village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno and neutralised 17 terrorists.

The troops also recovered one GPMG, 36 hand grenade and 77 rounds of belted 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

He said the troops also on Jan. 30, neutralised three terrorists and rescued 10 abducted victims in an offensive operation at villages within Bama and Mafa Local Government Areas of Borno.

According to him, troops also apprehended four terrorists’ logistic supplier at Maina Hari in Biu Local Government Area on Jan. 28.

“Troops recovered a vehicle conveying 13 jerrycans of automotive gas oil, two mobile phones and the sum of N5,000.

“Equally, on same day, troops responded to credible information on the presence of terrorist collaborators at Benisheik market in Kaga Local Government Area and arrested 13 suspects in a vehicle loaded with food items.

“Troops recovered a vehicle with 20 wraps of cannabis, three cartons of biscuit, six mobile phones, six jack knives and the sum of N72, 250.

“Equally, on Feb. 4, troops raided a terrorists` enclave at Balange Village on the fringes of Sambisa Forest, neutralised five terrorists and rescued 55 civilians.

“Also on Feb. 6, troops responded to intelligent report on terrorists’ activities and conducted several artillery fire missions on Tumbun Barebare, Tumbun Mata, Kaye Kura, Kwatan Yobe and Dumba areas in Kukawa LGA of Borno.

“Following the artillery fire mission, feedbacks received later revealed that about 42 terrorists were confirmed dead as a result of the fire mission.

In the Northwest zone, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had within the weeks in review, neutralised 16 terrorists and apprehended seven in different operations across the zone.

He said the troops recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 16 locally made pistols, one FN rifle, 48 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Others are 12 rounds of 9mm ammo, 11 cartridges, 27 AK 47 magazines, 10 motorcycles among other items.

In the Northcentral Zone, Danmadami said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised five terrorists, arrested 10 terrorists and one gunrunner within the period.

He said the troops also recovered 36 cows, 10 motorcycles, three mobile phones, two knives and eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Danmadami spokesman said the troops had sustained operations and continued to dominate the general areas and had continued to denied the criminals freedom of action. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph edeh

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe and other subsidiary operations have in the last two weeks discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta Region.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Danmadami said the troops also apprehended 53 suspected oil thieves and other criminals within the period in various operations across the South South zone.

He said the troops had continued the war against oil theft and illegal refineries and other criminal activities through aggressive and increased tempo in raids and clearance operations as well as patrol amongst other activities.

According to him, the land, maritime, and air component of the operation Delta Safe conducted operational activities at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns, cities of Bayelsa, Delta and River to checkmate the activities of criminal element and deny them freedom of action.

Danmadami said the troops, in the conduct of operation Octopus Grip had on Jan. 30, discovered and destroyed 10 bags and five jerrican (25Ltrs) of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil along Tuomo-Atamasa flow line in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as well as recovered a loaded doubled barrel gun.

He said the troops had on Feb. 3, discovered and destroyed an illegal refining site, seven metal ovens, 12 metal drums, 10 dugout pits, six storage tanks and 47 cellophane bags containing illegally refined products.

“Cumulatively, within the weeks under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites, 136 storage facilities, 66 ovens, 39 wooden boats, one generator, 11 vehicles and two tricycles.

“Additionally, troops recovered 222,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene while 53 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.

“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action,” he said.

Danmadami said the air component conducted air interdiction operations to several illegal refining sites and creeks at Lelekiri, Owoko and Biemekiri in Rivers as well as Ogiritoro in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom between Jan. 30 and Feb. 3.

According to him, over head the air crew observed some site to be active with illegal refining activities at the locations, while some were observed to have been abandoned.

“The active targets locations were engaged with weapons and the location were observed to have exploded in an inferno after the strike, while the illegal refining equipment were equally destroyed,” he added.

In the South East Zone, Danmadami said that troops and other security agents had sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

He said that the troops had within the period, conducted operational activities in villages, forest, towns and cities of Anambra, Abia, Imo and Enugu States geared towards restoring peace and normalcy to the region.

He said the troops had within the period recovered three AK47 rifle, one dane gun, one double barrel gun, one SMG, one tear gas launcher, six locally made pistol, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 11 AK47 magazines.

“Also recovered are, 260 rounds of 223 Remington ammunitions, one travor 21 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 5.56mm ammo,11 expended cartridges, political banners, one vehicle, Nigerian police personnel uniforms, combat boots IPOB flyers, three motorcycles, and two mobile phones amongst others items.

“Troops equally neutralised four terrorists and arrested nine terrorists.

“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action,” he said.

In the South West Zone, defence spokesman said the troops of Operation AWATSE had on Jan. 27 apprehended a suspected criminal who was to waybill some arms in his possession at Iddo motor park in Lagos State.

He said the troops recovered one hand grenade, 25 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, one roll of wire alongside other items suspected to be used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) from the suspect.

Danmadami added that the troops had on Jan. 30, arrested 120 suspected drug peddlers during a raid on some communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagan.

He said the troops recovered one locally fabricated pistol, 10kg of cannabis, five grains of methamphetamine, 3Kg of tramadol, eight mobile phones, assorted charms amongst other items.

On the forthcoming general elections, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to support the police to ensure peaceful polls.

Gusau said that the military high command had made clear at different fora that it would only play supportive roles to the lead security agency during elections. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

BY Sumaila Ogbaje, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The concept of Amnesty, Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration (DDR) are universal tools used in resolving conflicts and violence with remarkable results globally.

However, community-based reintegration is much more critical to sustainable peace in any country coming out of conflict.

Amnesty refers to a decision by government to allow political prisoners to go free. It has fixed period during which people are not punished for committing a particular crime and to hand in illegal weapons.

Disarmament on the other hand is taking away or giving up weapons while deradicalisation is the process of making someone become less extreme in their political, religious or ideological beliefs.

Reintegration on the other hand is an action or process of integrating someone back into society.

In Nigeria, there has been high emphasis on military response to the profound security and political challenges confronting the country.

In spite of that, issues of amnesty and negotiations are not new. Nigeria has at various times drawn on such lenient approaches to mitigate conflict when military actions failed.

The most prominent case was the amnesty programme for militants in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region in 2009.

In the North East’s violent and complex conflicts, some Boko Haram elements had transformed into international terror groups known as Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The complexity of the insurgency and the heterogeneous nature of non-state armed groups in the region demand that the state apply a mix of both military and civil approach to the crisis.

Thus, Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), established in September 2015, was the first step towards amnesty and application of DDR solutions by Nigerian government towards ending insurgency and violent extremism in the North East.

According to the OPSC Coordinator, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Maina, the programme has successfully processed 1,573 clients, comprising 1,555 Nigerians and 18 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics, since the OPSC commenced its DDR programme in 2016.

Maina also said 613 clients, including five foreigners from Chad and Niger, were transferred to the DRR camp on Sept. 8, 2022 to commence deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration training.

The OPSC Coordinator, however, said 19 of the clients had to be transferred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital neurological centre for expert psychiatric management.

According to him, the 613 clients are low-risk repentant terrorists who will be rehabilitated and transferred to their various states in Nigeria for reintegration into the society.

This is where the concept of community-based reintegration becomes more imperative.

According to the National Centre for Counter Terrorism in the Office of the National Security Adviser (CTC-ONSA), transforming those who took up arms into normal civilians is crucial to ending violent extremism.

To drive this point, the centre recently held a 4-Day National Technical Workshop on Amnesty Management, Deradicalisation and Community-Based Reintegration in Abuja.

National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said the alarming scale at which youths are joining armed groups, demands greater focus on preventing radicalisation among young people and transforming those who took up arms into normal civilians.

Monguno said the DDR was fundamentally to re-establish state monopoly of violence and control, secure stability and initiate a process leading to sustainable development.

According to him, the concept and practice of amnesty is not new in Nigeria, as Federal Government and several states have repeatedly granted amnesties.

He however said that amnesty could be counter-productive to national security if there are no established policies and legislations, national ownership and coordination mechanism for the amnesty programme.

“Amnesty, Disarmament, Rehabilitation, Deradicalisation, Early Recovery and Reintegration fundamentally contribute to creating a stable and secure environment, so that overall development can begin and be consolidated.

“Significant success has been achieved with the security efforts in the North-East and North-West.

“However, the shifting strategy of violent groups and the inability of troops to hold and stabilise recovered territories create a key challenge.

“Thus, the cooperation of communities is unavoidable in the quest for Government to consolidate on the gains of ongoing Counter-Terrorism Operations while measures to win the hearts and minds of the population is critical, and gradual resettlement and reintegration of affected communities is crucial for success.

“This involves military, political, civil, social, economic and humanitarian interventions, implemented within a multi-stakeholder platform,’’ the NSA said.

According to Monguno, the scale of atrocities committed against communities have created conditions for hate and reprisals against real or perceived perpetrators, including the victims.

“Justice whether retributive, transitional or transformational are major precursors and should be prioritised by key stakeholders in the field.

“It is worthy of note that the DDR policy field is reconfiguring its tools, policies and practices to address the diversity of armed actors in contemporary conflicts,’’ he said.

The NSA said the Nigerian government has been complementing kinetic means with soft approaches, stabilisation and peace building measures to secure lasting peace in the country.

He explained that all peace-building processes related to armed conflicts require combatants to surrender their arms through voluntary or non-voluntary way, followed by demilitarisation and reintegration into civilian life.

The NSA said so far, the government, its partners and other stakeholders have been successfully implementing the DDR strategy, which was developed in collaboration with International Organisation for Migration to guide the OPSC programmes.

The Country Director, International Alert Nigeria, Mr Paul-Bemshima Nyulaku, however, said though deradicalisation was part of Operation Safe Corridor, the concept of community-based reintegration has not been too popular in Nigeria.

Nyulaku therefore said there was need to engage and sensitise communities to accept back repentant and deradicalised insurgents.

According to him, community-based reintegration is critical to sustainable peace in Nigeria.

He said as government continues to lead the DDR programme, it is important to properly engage communities to accept the programme.

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi, during the ONSA workshop, expressed EU’s commitment to building on the works done to support reconciliation and integration in the North East.

She said the EU has been a long standing partner of Nigeria on both DDR and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, including amnesty, deradicalisation and community-based reintegration in the North East region.

According to her, the OPSC has so far been a model for other countries on what could be done to address violent extremism and reintegration of repentant extremists.

The envoy said the wave of mass exit of insurgents since 2021 in the North East was part of the success of the OPSC programme.

Similarly, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said considerable progress has been made by Nigerian Government and a number of states on non-kinetic approaches to resolving conflicts across the country.

Lang advised that while amnesty and voluntary DDR processes are essential components of successful conflict resolution, it should be done based on internationally acceptable laws.

She said that the processes should be complemented by robust, timely and fair criminal judicial procedures, especially for those who committed grave crimes.

“This is particularly important in the case of former associates of terrorist groups, as UN Security Council Resolution 1373 creates an obligation on all member states to bring terrorists to justice.

“In all cases, approaches must be compliant with international humanitarian and human rights laws.

“Even for those members of armed groups who will not undergo criminal prosecution, some form of justice may be necessary,” the envoy said.

Also, Nicolas Lang, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, said the experiences in North East Nigeria showed that Demobilisation, Disarmament, Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDDRR) were important alternatives to military combat in weakening insurgencies.

He said unlike before when conflicts involving non state armed groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP tend to portray that there could be no easy way out, the DDDRR has now triggered a sense that fighting does not have to be endless.

According to him, fewer armed conflicts around the world ended through military pressure and demobilisation strategies, as such the DDDRR is very significant to ending violent extremism and terrorism.

Lang said as frustrating as it may look, a lasting solution to the conflict in the North East will likely emerge through a political solution based on dialogue and talking, taking into account the different grievances of those affected by the conflict. (NAN Feature)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested the woman in a trending video allegedly extorting money before issuing voter cards to their owners.

This is contained in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday in Enugu.

“Police detectives serving in the State Criminal Investigation Department of Enugu State Command on Jan. 31, 2023, arrested a female suspect, one Chinwendu Nnamani, 41.

“Nnamani was involved in the viral social media video clip in which she is seen and alleged to be selling INEC Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the sum of One Thousand Naira, at a Primary School in Emene, Enugu.

“Also arrested is one Nkiruka Patience Obinna, 38, identified as an INEC staff and alleged to have given the said PVCs to the first suspect for distribution to the actual owners.

“Investigation has been concluded, the case charged to court in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, and the suspects arraigned accordingly,” he said.

The police spokesman further said that the suspects were granted bail and the case adjourned to Feb.15 for further hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Wap Maigida, has sought for sustainable synergy with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the reportage of NAF’s operations and activities.

Maigida made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that NAN and the armed forces were partners and stakeholders in the Nigerian project, hence the need for synergy in information dissemination about the operations and activities of the military.

“ I came here to continue the synergy that we have had on churning out information about the armed forces and the air force in particular, for the people to know what the air force is doing in its operations and activities.

“We are all aware that NAN is a primary source of information and news for all other media stations and  NAN has been working closely with the armed forces and the air force specifically in giving out information.

“I want to continue the cooperation and ask for continuous synergy from your organisation,” he said.

The spokesman commended NAN for ensuring that the right narratives of NAF was given out promptly, adding that the agency had always deployed professional hands to cover NAF activities.

“I want to also urge us to continue to galvanise support for the armed forces and the NAF specifically as we continue to conduct our constitutional roles of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“Let me also implore the Nigerian media to continue to avoid sensational news. I know as a government agency we have not had problem with that.

“We have only one armed forces and we must protect it.

“I know we are into electioneering period and there would be bashing from here and there, but everything will come and go and leave us behind. So let us protect ourselves in the eye of the storm,” he added.

Responding, NAN Managing Director said the agency has remained the home of quality and unbiased news and would always collaborate with and support the armed forces in its operations.

Ponle pledged to enhace the existing collaboration with the air force for the benefit of the country.

He told the NAF spokesman that the agency had recently restructured its operations with the recent expansion of its zonal offices from six to 12, for better service delivery.

He added that the agency has offices in the 36 states of the federation, as well as district offices for effective coverage of rural areas.

“We also have more than 10 foreign offices but because of paucity of funds, we had to reduce some.

“We have our office in New York, and we are in the process of reopening our offices in Johannesburg to cover South Africa; Côte d’Ivoire to cover West Africa and Ethiopia to cover the Eastern part of Africa.

“Just like what Nigeria has been, our focus is on Africa, but we ensure that we give priority to our local news in terms of news dissemination and we are still having clients from within and outside the country.

“In essence, when you talk to NAN, you have talked to the whole world, because here is where it happens.

“We have the multimedia which is the in thing now, we have the photography section and we have all other gene of journalism being covered,” he said.

The NAN boss added the agency has been preparing towards effective coverage of the forthcoming general elections, expressing the hope that it would be conducted peacefully nationwide.

Ponle pledged that the agency would not compromise standards in providing quality and unbiased news to its clients.

“We cannot afford to make mistakes as any mistake made by NAN would also be made by all news organisations relying on us.

“We don’t discriminate and we don’t have any allegiance. The only allegiance we have is for the survival of our country Nigeria, just like the armed forces.

“When it comes to objectivity, when you speak to NAN, you can all go to sleep, because what we push out will be the truth, nothing else but the truth,” he said.

Ponle said the agency would continue to identify with the armed forces because of their commitment to safeguarding the nation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its maritime patrol aircraft, Cessna Citation CJ3, on a routine flight on Monday, carried out a controlled belly land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, in a statement in Abuja said the aircraft lost its tyres on touch and go flight in Ilorin.

Maigida said that there were no fatalities or injuries to any crew member and persons on the ground.

He said that Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to determine the cause(s) of the accident.

“NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general public as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, says winning hearts and minds of the North East populace was a major step taken by the Army that turned the tables against insurgents during his time.

Buratai, who is the immediate past Ambassador of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said that the people also realised that President Muhammadu Buhari was passionate about restoring peace and stability to Borno and the entire North-East region.

He said that there was also the reinvigoration of joint civil-military operations, composed of all operational formations of the Services.

According to him, the operation had a central coordination Headquarters which also coordinated civil and humanitarian activities.

“It assists the joint force commander in humanitarian or national-assistance operations, theater campaigns or civil-military operations occurring concurrently,” he said.

Buratai urged the military to be resilient and never succumb to the threats of insurgents, terrorists, separatists, kidnappers or armed robbers.

He said the major trick of the terrorists was to instill fear in the minds of people so much so that the people would be afraid to go to their farms, businesses or send their children to school.

“We must all take a stand and show that we are not with the insurgents and the terrorists.

“What the military is doing is fighting for the safety of the people, the military is there to protect and defend the people.

“The military is not just fighting the terrorists on their own, they are there because of the people. This war is a people’s war, and not just a military thing.

“Therefore, we must all get involved, be resilient, provide timely and credible intelligence and avoid any action that will disrupt the peace.

“We have a duty to ensure that we entrench peace right from our homes. We must also know what every member of our community is engaged in,” he said.

On military tactics, Buratai said the military always evaluated and changed their tactics to adapt to new challenges posed by the insurgents and terrorists, hence the defeat of the terrorists and insurgents.

He called on locals to support the military with credible and timely information and prayers instead of meaningless and incessant criticism that were capable of killing morale of troops and their commanders.

Buratai urged the military to maintain their tempo of operations and keep up the aggressive assaults, as well as enhance collaboration and synergy with other sister agencies.

“You must understand that the military is not a one man show; even when I was in service, I worked with a team, and I am happy to say that many of them are still in service.

“The current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the COAS served directly under me as Theater Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole, now Hadin Kai.

“By and large, I will say that they are doing well. Whatever little success we were able to achieve during my tenure, we did it together, it was a collective effort.

“Thumbs up to the Nigerian military, the CDS and the Service Chiefs. I commend the Commander of Operation Hadin Kai. They are doing a great job. This is why the terrorists have been surrendering to the government.

“Over 100,000 have surrendered and many more are coming out,” he said.

On negotiation with terrorists and bandits, the former COAS said it was not the responsibility of the military to suggest, initiate or directly partake in dialogue or negotiations with terrorists and bandits.

“But the military can force the terrorists, bandits, insurgents to surrender and accept negotiated terms favourable to the legitimate authority, which is the government.

“I tell you towards the last half of 2020, the bandits were calling for negotiations through some prominent individuals.

“This was as a result of the pressure mounted on the bandits. Many of their fighters, collaborators, logistic suppliers and informants were neutralised, captured or had escaped out of the country for safety.

“Negotiation, dialogue and amnesty are civil authorities’ responsibilities. This should be the last option which I preach in my present capacity because the terrorists and bandits have been subdued.

“Much more details will be coming out in my memoire in the future by the grace of God,” he said.

On the 2023 general elections, Buratai urged the military to stick to their constitutional role and remain apolitical even when they are called in to assist the civil police at some point. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abubakar Ahmed/Maharazu Ahmed