I’m sure former defence minister,
General TY Danjuma does not need much defense and when he does, has very
qualified people to do so. But let me quickly stop some people in their tracks
with context as they continue to hurtle hate and spiteful lines at the General
for saying what he should have said many months ago. The general today in
Jalingo slammed his main base – the military- accusing them for lacking
neutrality in the ongoing herdsmen mayhems. He came close to saying the
nation’s military has failed. It was a damning verdict by a man who should know
if anyone knows at all. Trust some few Nigerians. They immediately started
insulting the world acclaimed fearless general. But he has spoken
unapologetically.
For
clarity, the venerable General is first and foremost from Taraba state and from
Takum local government to be precise. This global citizens has a village and
all politics is local. It is Takum that shaped his world view and donated him
to the rest of humanity. And anyone even listening to anything knows that Takum
lately has become the epicenter of the Taraba’s bitter experience with killer
herdsmen. Apart from the horrors of recently losing a member of the House of
Assembly in this town, several attacks have made Takum the “wild wild west” of
Taraba. And nothing could be more surprising other that Takum has a barrack – a
military barrack the venerable general attracted to the area years back with
the hope that it would address security challenges. But Takum has since become
a scary place to live and work as I write this. Only the youths keep watch over
defenseless people there.
Now
Governor Darius Ishaku is also from Takum. He has been very vocal about the
fact his place is not safe and has openly called for the removal of the CO of
the said barracks. Actually, Darius has continuously maintained that he can’t
guarantee anyone’s safety in the state since the security agents don’t take any
orders from him. The other day he had to cry out that Taraba would be attacked
in a matter of days. So the fears and cries of a security deficit has been on
now by the governor. The General surely must have silently made his research
into this apprehensions. When he eventually spoke today, it was the sum total
of the fears in the land. Why should anyone attack a man who is confronting an
existential threat dangerously looming in the horizon not just for Taraba but
the nation as whole? Should the general have just watched as the killings
spread? When he asked people to defend themselves, he knew exactly what
directives he was giving.
And trust the general. He chose the perfect place to drop the H-bomb. The venue
was picture perfect- the hallowed space of a convocation ground. Targeting
young people who have a future ahead of them, the war time General shouted from
the ivory tower to be heard loud and clear around the world. It was a war cry
no doubt from a practiced man of many battles. Courageous, dignified and
unequivocal, he said the military was colluding with attackers to kill
Nigerians. No verdict could be more damning. No words could be as incisive as
he went straight for the jugular.
Now
it is up to the military to either look into this profound accusation or not.
He could push back by ignoring it. Already fans of the ruling party, APC, are
up in arms to lamely defend the administration. Name calling is the usual
sanctuary of those who really have nothing more to say. But let’s not forget
that a man who once went to war to keep Nigeria together is not afraid to go
the miles to ensure lives are safe. That’s the measure and stature of a man who
truly loves his fatherland.
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