From: Nowa Omoigui <nowa_o@yahoo.com>
Date: 30 July 2011 23:48
Subject: [dandalin-siyasa] No dialogue with Boko Haram - Petinrin
To: "defsec@egroups.com" <defsec@egroups.com>
No dialogue with Boko Haram - Petinrin
Written by Hamza Idris, Maiduguri Saturday, 30 July 2011 00:00
TRUST
CHIEF of Defence Staff, Chief Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin who was in Maiduguri explains the challenges confronting the members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) including the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, Immigration and SSS. He also said the call for the withdrawal of the troops was unnecessary adding that the military was not ready for any dialogue with the members of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal Jihad, popularly called Boko Haram. Excerpts:
Weekly Trust: Why are you in Maiduguri?
Petinrin: I am here to see the officers and men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and find out what they are doing, encourage them and of course to listen to them to know if they have certain challenges that we can quickly solve so that they can perform better.
What are their challenges?
I have already spoken to them and they have informed me that they would want the public to cooperate with them. This the biggest challenge facing our officers and men. People of Borno State need to cooperate with the task force by giving information. These people (Boko Haram) who are busy causing mayhem live amongst us. So, if the people can give information, the earlier we can bring this problem to an end.
How do you intend to deal with the excesses of the JTF members?
We have rules of engagement. This is published and every trooper is aware of this and anybody who goes against that will face military discipline, it is as simple as that. And am sure you are aware that the Commander of the task force here (Maiduguri) has tried some men. Am sure you are told. So, we are taking care of any issue of abuse.
However, let me reiterate that the government did not send task force here against anybody in particular or against any religious sect, not at all. People should get that clear. We are against all those who are making life difficult for others. We are against all those throwing bombs in market places; not caring who is hurt. We are against all those who go about shooting people for no reason. Even if a man is guilty, you have to try him first; you should not just go and shoot a man to death. We are against all those people; we don't care to which religious sect they belong.
You said you will be ready to own up to any mistake made by the JTF members. Are there mistakes committed by your men so far?
I just told you that the task force commander has tried some people.
How many?
He is trying five suspects.
In some places, you spoke on terrorism, how prepared are you men to deal with this problem in Nigeria?
I have spoken at different fora explaining that terrorism is new to us, but it is not new in other places. When things are new, you know, peoples' reaction to them, initially, is slow. What is happening now is that we are getting better, our intelligence is getting better, and our men are getting better. So, those who are behind this thing, we would eventually nab them, because we are getting them and when they are caught, they would not see any mercy.
What are your assurances for the people ,because residencts had fled their homes because of fear?
Well, you, the members of the press are the ones who can help us educate the people who have gone. You know when it is safe for them to come back. If you (press) can now move safely not being afraid that somebody will shoot you or somebody will throw bomb at you, you should be able to tell them they should better come back, Maiduguri is now safe, they should come back to their places of livelihood.
How do you feel that Borno elders are calling for the withdrawal of troops from Maiduguri?
We shouldn't make mistake. This is a free country where everybody has the right to stay where he wants. The fact that some people came together and say we don't want this, we don't want that…they have right to say so, but I am busy re-enforcing the task force. We are going nowhere until there is peace.
But the problem is that you said getting cooperation from the people is your greatest challenge. Now, if the elders are saying the JTF should go, do you think it will be possible for you to get the cooperation?
You see, the people who are affected by this thing (shootings and blasts) do not live in the GRA. The bombs and the IED (Improvised explosive Devices) that are being thrown in the markets, how many markets are in the GRA? So, the people would cooperate because they know where their interest is and we have been getting reports from the people, saying we are doing a good job. Yes, there have been one or two mistakes which we are taking care of, but generally, we are doing a good job and people are happy with us. When some people come together and say yes, they don't want us. Yes, they have the right to say so because we are in a free country.
Are you ruling out the option of dialogue with the Boko Haram people?
The Armed |Forces of Nigeria and the task force are not in the business of discussing with anybody.
There are reports that your men have arrested some fake soldiers, either through Gamboru Ngala or Baga. How true is that?
I cannot comment on that for now. When it is time to tell you who has done what, who has been caught, I assure you the task force will do that.
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