Traditional rulers in Zamfara State has reacted to the accusation made against them by the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Buhari whose administration is largely known for shifting blames rather than take responsibilities, accused the traditional rulers of aiding armed bandits who have made the state insecure in recent times.

Dan Ali, Defence Minister, who made the allegation on Wednesday said the unnamed monarchs alongside other unpatriotic persons were “helping the bandits with intelligence to perpetuate their nefarious actions or to compromise military operations.”

Responding, the Zamfara State Council of Traditional Rulers, after its meeting in Gusau, the State Capital on Thursday, said it was unfortunate that the security agencies were looking for who to blame rather than taking steps to quell the crisis in the state.

In a press conference, the spokesperson of the group and the Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, dared the Defense Minister to name those he said were aiding the bandits.

“Failure to do this will make his statement false and an attempt to tarnish the image of the traditional rulers and thereby making them scapegoats for the inability of the military and other security forces to end the scourge,” Mr Attahiru was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to have said.

“The traditional rulers have always cooperated with government and security agencies in providing information on location, routes and names of persons engaged in such criminal activities. Unfortunately, the military and other security agencies have failed to be on top of the situation.

“We will not shield anyone and we will want any suspect however highly placed to be arrested and prosecuted,” the monarch said and accused the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) of killing innocent civilians in the airstrikes being carried out in the state.

“The Council noted that airstrikes undertaken by the military do not hit the main camps of the bandits.

“Reports from Mutu in Gusau and Tsafe Local government areas, Tangaram in Anka local government and Dumburum in Zurmi local area among others are that the areas shelled were not the actual hideouts of the bandits and the victims were innocent civilians.

“If the main camps of the bandits are taken over and security personnel stationed there for a considerable period of time. This will deprive the bandits territory, mobility and supply routes, thus securing all surrounding areas,” the group said.

NAF DENIES KILLING INNOCENT CIVILIANS

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has denied the allegation made against it by the traditional rulers.

“The NAF target selection process for air operations is particularly rigorous and methodical in order to ensure proper target identification and thereby prevent strikes on wrong locations,” a statement from NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Ibikunle Daramola, read.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the public is to please note that the locations attacked from 8 to 11 April 2019 were selected based on human intelligence (HUMINT) reports obtained from security agencies and other government sources, traditional and community leaders as well as reliable, vetted informants.

“These were all further confirmed by days of detailed day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to ensure proper targeting for the avoidance of collateral damage.

“To further ensure this, as standard practice, NAF attack aircraft on air interdiction missions are accompanied by ISR platforms that guide them to designated targets.

“Rather than making such spurious and unsubstantiated allegations, NAF requests that anyone with evidence to the effect that innocent civilians were targeted by the NAF air strikes should produce such evidence,” the statement read.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/zamfara-insecurity-traditional-rulers-react-dare-fg/

Not just NAF
NPF, NN, FRSC, NA, NSCDC, EFCC, DSS, SSS, IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS and all I didn't mention are Fond of targeting the way and innocent citizens..

Even voting "next level" will not save the beleaguered Zamfara elites and indigenes from the government blame passing irresponsibility.

Attempt to shift responsibility and blame others seems to have back fired in this case

Where is the gold

Was it not the same NAF that killed innocent people in an IDP camp in Borno last January? Anyway wetin concern me, if Buhari should run for a third tenure, you guys will still vote for him.

Amazing daring

Go and vote more of buhari.

“Rather than making such spurious and unsubstantiated allegations, NAF requests that anyone with evidence to the effect that innocent civilians were targeted by the NAF air strikes should produce such evidence,” the statement read."
Investigative Journalist, Emirs & others have been challenged to make disclose evidence to the contrary if not, rumours peddlers & haters will be prosecuted under the fake news Act. You are warned. God bless Nigeria.

They should Fishe out the bandits.

Calculating:


Source: https://politicstimesng.com/zamfara-insecurity-traditional-rulers-react-dare-fg/

What sort of uncivilized journalism is this?

Sonoyom:
Buhari Looks Like Jonathan

For you to have mentioned Buhari in the same sentence with His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan... GCFR... Ph.D, then you are mad.

Are the killings not far worse than how and what they used to be in the good old days of GEJ?

You Muslims are all stupid and senseless.

H

fk001:
They should Fishe out the bandits.

Zombie, is the Zamfara State Council of Traditional Rulers in control of the security agencies?


Your stupidity is growing larger with each passing second.


Oya... take am!!!

Their business abeg.

Who didn't know that this damage control will surely result in loss of innocent Civilians.... Useless FGN

Next level

When are we going to see indictments. If there's none its just a conspiracy theory.

No bi next level we dey? Make una enjoy the blames. Federal government says you are terrorists sponsors.

They have started grooming NW Bokoharam.
This is how they were against the killing of NE bokos until they are out of control.

Any spammer in front page?

As long as nobody is calling for Buhari's resignation,they are still beating about the bush.

These traditional rulers are clearly not helping with the security situation in Zamfara and other black zones in Nigeria. Why are they not concerned their people are being killed daily? Are they getting richer out of the situation at the expense of the people?

Nobody or group(s) dares the govt. Govt will deal ruthlessly with any defiant when its ready.

The traditional rulers cannot claim not knowing the bandits. Someone is benefiting from the situation. Govt should apply force.

Calculating:


Mr Buhari whose administration is largely known for shifting blames rather than take responsibilities, accused the traditional rulers of aiding armed bandits who have made the state insecure in recent times.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/zamfara-insecurity-traditional-rulers-react-dare-fg/

so they too know say Buhari dey shift goal post all the time but zombies call such act progressive

I wonder who else Buhari is going to blame for his failures

Let's even assume it's the traditional rulers, whose duty is it to check mate any killings in every part of Nigeria

Wetin happen Armies don lose touch on their dance (Python) moves

History is repeating itself before our very own eyes, the same scenes involved in the Dapchi girls is also incorporated!

Nigerians can now have an idea of what actually took place!

aolawale025:
Attempt to shift responsibility and blame others seems to have back fired in this case

This is a sign of failure from both side. Blaming game as usual while innocent people continue to die every day. I am sorry to say that this killing will be difficult to stop because d security personnels n d people that r suppose to provide useful info r not on d same page

The traditional ruler are not worry that their people are being kill so something is fishy

Buhari Looks Like Jonathan

nony43:
Was it not the same NAF that killed innocent people in an IDP camp in Borno last January? Anyway wetin concern me, if Buhari should run for a third tenure, you guys will still vote for him.

I am betting my April salary that the ASO Rock will push for buhari third tenure or Abba kyari candidature

Koolking:
These traditional rulers are clearly not helping with the security situation in Zamfara and other black zones in Nigeria. Why are they not concerned their people are being killed daily? Are they getting richer out of the situation at the expense of the people?

Nobody or group(s) dares the govt. Govt will deal ruthlessly with any defiant when its ready.

The traditional rulers cannot claim not knowing the bandits. Someone is benefiting from the situation. Govt should apply force.

Idiot!!!! Silly thing!!! Waste of space of a human.

gbagyiza:


This is a sign of failure from both side. Blaming game as usual while innocent people continue to die every day. I am sorry to say that this killing will be difficult to stop because d security personnels n d people that r suppose to provide useful info r not on d same page

Traditional rulers are suddenly security forces? What has the government been doing since? They ve to wait for more than many months yet you dare blame traditional rulers.