The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has cautioned interest groups against creating tension while the military is making efforts to restore peace and normalcy to troubled parts of Plateau.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Monday in Abuja.
Gusau reacted to a statement issued by HURIWA, faulting the formation of a Fact-Finding Team tasked to elicit practical workable solutions to the prolonged crisis in some parts of Nigeria, Plateau inclusive.
He said the fact-finding team headed by an experienced retired senior military officer was constituted by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.
Gusau said the constitution of the team followed the deployment of military hardware including highly trained intelligence personnel and special forces to troubled areas of the state to ensure perpetrators of dastardly attacks are brought to justice.
He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, visited the state on Jan. 27 and gave the troops specific orders to deal decisively with those fermenting troubles leading to loss of lives and properties.
According to him, numerous intelligence-driven operations have been conducted leading to the arrest of key suspects who are currently undergoing interrogation.
“It is therefore pertinent to note that the team was constituted as part of the non-kinetic approach of the DHQ in resolving the situation.
“Also, the team’s responsibility spreads across troubled areas in the country and not limited to Plateau state alone.
“The DHQ call on HURIWA to cultivate the habit of seeking credible information on issues especially as it concerns national security before approaching the media.
“It is evident the group was ill-informed and could not spend time researching on efforts the military had made to restore normalcy in troubled areas of the country.
“DHQ would have naturally overlook the ignorance of HURIWA on this matter, but finds it necessary to educate civil society organisations on the responsible use of the media not to disseminate falsehoods and create tension where none is existing.
“We, therefore advise HURIWA to henceforth be passionate to seek adequate information on issues of national importance and stop misleading the public deliberately.
“The DHQ would take strong legal action should such mistake repeat itself,” he said.
Gusau said the CDS appreciates the support of Nigerians to troops in the field making unquantifiable sacrifices to ensure peace in our nation.
He added that the defence chief was confident that the troops would stamp out criminality in Plateau and the country at large. (NAN)
By Sumaila Ogbaje
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