…As faceless group releases pro-military report
The Nigerian Army has set up a probe panel to investigate the allegations raised by former Army chief, Lt. Gen. TY Danjuma (retd), accusing the Nigerian army of complicity in the ceaseless killing of farmers by herders all over the country.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Buratai, who inaugurated the probe team earlier today, expressed optimism that the panel, led by Major General John Nimyel (retd), would investigate and expose the circumstances that led to such accusations.
Gen. Danjuma had, last month in Taraba, accused the Army of complicity in what he termed “ethnic cleansing” by the Fulani. The retired General was speaking at the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University, Jalingo, in reaction to the escalating attacks on farming communities, allegedly carried out by herdsmen believed to be of the Fulani ethnic stock.
Meanwhile, a group going by the name, The Coalition on Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria, and which claims to have researched into the incidents of farmers/herders crisis in the country, has allegedly released a report exonerating the military from any duplicity in the attacks.
The group says it says its report is the result of “careful analysis” using research instruments like situation analysis, questionnaires, interviews of stakeholders and victims.
According to the group, the Nigerian Army is neutral, patriotic and professional in the management of the crises.
The group further blamed politicians and the governors of Benue and Taraba States for the escalation of the crises and accused them of toying with human life by using local vigilante and mercenaries to worsen the situation. The group was said to have addressed journalists and other social media influencers earlier today.
However, a quick online search for the group on the Corporate Affairs Commission website, http://publicsearch.cac.gov.ng/comsearch/ failed to reveal the existence of any such registered group.
Similarly, a search of the Nigerian Bar Association database, http://www.nigerianbar.org.ng/ has yet to throw up anyone with the identity of the said leader of the coalition, Barrister Maxwell Gowon.
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