Boko Haram: Army Makes U-Turn On Borno Elders

The Nigeria Army has given clarification on its earlier statement where certain group and influential persons were said to be working against the interest of the force in flushing the remnants of Boko Haram sects from the northeast, especially from Borno state.

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The army in a statement on Monday, September 28, said its warning to saboteurs in the northeast was not referring to the Borno Elders of Thought, which is a socio-political group.

Acting director army public relations Col. Sani Usman,  said the warning was quoted out of proportion by some section of the media.

He added that though no names were mentioned but the army still stands by its statement that certain interest groups who have benefited immensely from the crisis in the North-East are working to frustrate the army effort which is in conformity with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to end insurgency in three months.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Kills 20 In A Fresh Attack

See full statement below:

CLARIFICATION ON THE PRESS RELEASE SENT YESTERDAY TITLED “WARNING TO MISCHIEF MAKERS BENT IN PERPETUATING TERRORSIM

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to observations and concerns by well meaning Nigerians especially the Borno Elders Leaders of Thought (BELT) about the misinterpretations of the warning.

“Therefore, it becomes necessary to clarify to the effect that the statement released yesterday does not refer to the leaders of BELT or majority of the good people and law abiding prominent citizens of Borno State. I neither mention any organization’s or individual’s name. However, the warning was to inform a specific group of people whose activities are imminical to our collective quest for peace as enumerated in the release.

“At this point, it is important to observe that what is required at this crucial period is for everyone to rally round the Federal Government to bring to a speedy end the wanton destruction of lives and properties by the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We believe that the Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought cannot hold any clandestine meetings and therefore as a responsible organisation the Nigerian Army holds them in high esteem.

READ ALSO: BH Bombs Kill Both Muslims And Christians – Osinbajo

“We however wish to reiterate unequivocally that the Nigerian Army has credible information that certain individuals and groups are losing out of the successes being achieved and therefore want to discredit the renewed fight against Boko Haram. We would not tolerate nor allow them to actualize their nefarious intents.”

Thank you for your usual cooperation.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum, a socio-political association in the northern part of Nigeria has condemned leaders in the region who are allegedly aiding the activities of Boko Haram.

Muhammad Ibrahim, the national publicity secretary of the forum in a statement released on Sunday, September 27 said the action of the perpetrators was worrisome considering the effort the military was putting to end Boko Haram insurgency.

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