Following his declaration, urging Nigerians to take up arms and defend themselves against those he described as bandits who have been carrying out what some regard as ethnic cleansing, a socio-political group, Middle Belt Conscience Guard has accused the former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) of fuelling armed conflicts in Taraba State and its environs.

Also fingered in their allegation on Sunday at a Press conference in Abuja was the state governor, Arc. Diarus Ishaku.

According to the national President of the Middle Belt group, Prince Raymond Enero, who was responding to the reported call by the Gen. Danjuma on citizens of Taraba State to defend themselves against armed bandits, the comment was unfortunate.

The group equally described the declaration by the former Army chief as unbecoming of a supposedly elder statesman who should commit to peace and unity of the nation rather than using his experience to fuel communal and ethnic crisis.

"Prior to the issuance of Danjuma's poisonous directive, the Taraba state governor, Mr. Darius Ishaku has been fingered in the escalation of the crisis between the farming and pastoral communities in Taraba state, especially on the Mambila Plateau.

"The governor reportedly armed ethnic militias to carry out attacks on other ethnic groups, which consequently fueled reprisals in other states of the Middle-Belt and beyond. A couple of other states copied the Taraba example and armed militias with the same consequence of endless reprisals that have seen the circle of violence enter a continuous loop and spiraling across the country", the group stated.

It further alleged that the former Army Chief was using his international connections in collaboration with some governors in the region to import weapons and arm local militia that have been perpetrating mayhem in the region.

"TY Danjuma has revealed himself as the godfather of the militias and the governors are merely field commanders. The godfather has the international connections to procure black market weapons, the limitless resources to procure the arms and the incentive to distribute them.

"His call is just an attempt to project an argument for the weapons to get on our streets", the group maintained.

The group while insisting that the unity and peace of the country should not be sacrificed for whatever reason called on the military to ensure that weapons are taken off the hands of militia and ensure that peace thrives in the land.

It further expressed dissatisfaction that more than 24 hours after TY Danjuma made such heinous remarks, he has not yielded to reason to retrace his steps adding that he will be dragged before the competent legal authorities - domestic and international – for any life lost because of his declaration of war.

"Danjuma’s call for people to “defend yourselves” is in no way to be taken lightly. He made that call only because he has the arsenal to deploy by way of providing weapons to his ethnic group to kill others.

“It has happened before during the Jukun/Tiv clashes. There is no guarantee that the geo-political zone can survive another round of crisis fuelled by TY Danjuma supplied weapons.

"The call made to the people to defend themselves is apparently out of frustration because the governors he uses as his field commanders have been stumped with the launch of Operation Ayem Akpatuma (Cat Race) by the Nigerian Army.

"The operation had led to the uncovering of the militias that were armed under different and different names but all aimed at perpetrating genocide", the group further alleges.

Source: http://www.streetreporters.ng/group-accuses-ty-danjuma-ishaku-of-instigation-armed-conflict-in-taraba/

Let me wait and see how someone that is not in middlebelt will say they are hired thugs......




What T.Y said was arrant nonsense, how on earth would a respected elder statesman utter such statement? Unless maybe he had hidden agenda as the group lamented

Ok, it was TY Danjuma that led the herdsmen to invade peoples farms and eat crops, then kill those who resist?

putting a heavy mango tray on his head to hawk shamefully because he peeped and exposed the evil in this government.

if the governor of Taraba state truly armed his people to protect them selves against buhari Islamic terrorist, he deserve a third term in office.and other state governor's should do same especially the slowpoke governor of Benue state.

What is wrong in people arming themselves against possible attack from marauders, who seems unrepentant?

This call isn't for Middle Beltans alone. It should be for entire Nigerians.

When we describe ipob by the words cownu used to describe Igbos who do not agree with him, then we really mean that is what IPoB is. The same TY danjuma that they perpetually complained about owning oil blocks etc and jubilated each time militants threatened his interest have become their new found savior and role model, what sort of hopeless people these mentally deranged apes are is just perplexing.

We await TY demand all military personnel protecting his houses in Abuja & taraba and his interests in the ND to withdraw. The silly idiots wants to pit the poor against each other while enjoying the protection of the same military he denigrates.

All these attacks on Danjuma is not needed. If the security agencies are up and doing, the suggestion he gave wouldn't have been necessary. The government is not really doing enough to resolve the herdsmen vs farmers crisis and sadly, the government is not doing enough to change the narrative that it is backing the herdsmen. The right to self defence is an inalienable right that can never be taken away. So, I don't think there is anything wrong in Danjuma's advice.

usba:
When we describe ipob by the words cownu used to describe Igbos who do not agree with him, then we really mean that is what IPoB is. The same TY danjuma that they perpetually complained about owning oil blocks etc and jubilated each time militants threatened his interest have become their new found savior and role model, what sort of hopeless people these mentally deranged apes are is just perplexing.

We await TY demand all military personnel protecting his houses in Abuja & taraba and his interests in the ND to withdraw. The silly idiots wants to pit the poor against each other while enjoying the protection of the same military he denigrates.

i did not see ipob,kanu or igbo,in that news or are ur reply,for another news,N/b ipob have not finish,seeing those standing talk more of you,squatting in all aspect of life

[s]

authehighness:
i did not see ipob,kanu or igbo,in that news or are ur reply,for another news,N/b ipob have not finish,seeing those standing talk more of you,squatting in all aspect of life

[/s]

Get well soon