The Nigerian Army a few days ago, revealed that there were certain influential Northern elders that were actively trying to scuttle its efforts in the war against Boko Haram.
The supposed elders were accused of hiring marabouts and using diabolical means to frustrate the operation to flush out the insurgents.
Less than 48hours after making the claims, the army has issued a disclaimer to its generalization of Borno elders.
The Army says ‘Borno Elders Leaders of Thought’ cannot be part of the group of people it accused of shady dealing.
Colonel Sani Usman absolved BELT, as they are so called, of any blame… or stain.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to observations and concerns by well meaning Nigerians especially the Borno Elders Leaders of Thought (BELT) about the misinterpretations of the warning.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to clarify to the effect that the statement released yesterday does not refer to the leaders of BELT or majority of the good people and law abiding prominent citizens of Borno State.
I neither mention any organization’s or individual’s name. However, the warning was to inform a specific group of people whose activities are imminical to our collective quest for peace as enumerated in the release.
At this point, it is important to observe that what is required at this crucial period is for everyone to rally round the Federal Government to bring to a speedy end the wanton destruction of lives and properties by the Boko Haram insurgency.
We believe that the Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought cannot hold any clandestine meetings and therefore as a responsible organisation the Nigerian Army holds them in high esteem.
We however wish to reiterate unequivocally that the Nigerian Army has credible information that certain individuals and groups are losing out of the successes being achieved and therefore want to discredit the renewed fight against Boko Haram. We would not tolerate nor allow them to actualize their nefarious intents.”
