Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.), has again called on Nigerians to take up arms against terrorists and bandits.
REPORTERS AT LARGE recalls that Danjuma made a similar call in 2018, a comment that pitted him against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
The Nigerian Army then described the statement credited to Danjuma as an unfortunate statement coming from a highly distinguished statesman, especially now that the military has embarked on the demilitarization of the North Central Region of the Country. The headquarter through its public relations director, Texas Chukwu, Brigadier General also warned Nigerians not to listen to the former chief of army staff, noting that anyone caught in possession of arms would be dealt with.
In his goodwill message at the presentation of the staff of office to 25 Aku-Uka of Wukari in Taraba State, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, on Saturday, Danjuma alleged that the Armed Forces were either unwilling to defend the country or that Nigeria is under siege.
He said it is sad that Nigeria, the most prominent black country in the world, is under siege by terrorists who are trying to root out the citizens.
“As a soldier, the best defence is attack. Right now, we are all sitting ducks. These people are armed to the teeth with weapons of mass destruction but we don’t have them. We have the numbers and the land belongs to us. They are trying to colonise us and take over our lands. Your majesty, you must unite our people to defend themselves.
“I will not give you arms. Find out how the people who have it got it and use the same means to acquire arms and defend yourselves. This beautiful land called Nigeria is being brought to ruin by absolutely useless criminals. How do they get here? We know some of them may even be here. My prayer is that God Almighty that has given us this land will give us the courage to face these enemies and chase them out. This we must do. Otherwise, Nigeria is finished.
“We must find out the source of the arms of terrorists; Nigerians should equally find a means of arming themselves to face the terrorists,” he said.
He said when he accused the military of colluding with terrorists, he was called a liar, but now, Nigerians had realised the truth.
He said that after his statement in 2018, the military set up a “Kangaroo panel,” and he was invited to defend what he said, but he refused to appear before the panel.
Danjuma, while congratulating the new Aku-Uka for ascending the throne of his forefathers, advised him to unite the Jukun people.
Hon. Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo is a woman of virtue, humble, down to earth, diligent and one of the best hands of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s cabinet