The Governor of Borno State, Prof
Babagana Zulum has been commended for speaking
out on soldiers accused of consist extortion of locals in the North East where insurgents have recently
relaunched their violent campaigns.
In a statement on Wednesday, the foremost Nigerian anti-corruption group, Human and Environmental Development
Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) said Prof
Zulum’s condemnation of the extortion by soldiers was a show of moral highground.
HEDA commended the Borno State
Governor for what it described as an act
of responsibility and leadership quality. Saying the action of the Governor suggests great future expectations
from him in the national campaign
against corruption
The rights group also commended the Nigerian Army through the Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Ilyasu for
saying that the Army would probe the
allegation.
HEDA said its own findings from volunteers in the North East has confirmed the position of the Borno State
Governor, adding that the Nigerian Army
owes Nigerians the debt of making public its findings.
Zulum was on his way to Jakana when his convoy observed a traffic gridlock occasioned by soldiers and policemen
attached to Operation Lafiya Dole said
to be extorting cash from motorists.
HEDA said the allegations of the Governor has reinforced widespread public complaints about soldiers extorting
locals in the troubled zones.
“We view this incidence with deep concern. When soldiers posted to protect the people begin to take bribe from
the same people they are meant to
protect, the implication is that such an armed institution will lose public confidence which will lead to
loss of public support. When
local cooperation is lost, there is no way the Army can win the battle against terrorism”, the statement signed
by HEDA Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju
stated.
HEDA said “We are monitoring the probe. We want to see the outcome of the probe. HEDA volunteers in the North East
have also been asked to monitor the
activities of soldiers on the highways to see if extortion remains a pattern. If there are cases of
further extortion, HEDA will surely pass
on the information to the appropriate authorities.”
