The Nigerian Army says it has no apologies for its recent clash with members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
The General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade while addressing journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday said that the Army cannot fold its hands and watch any group jeopardize the peace and stability of the country.
“Army has paid heavily with the blood of its officers and men to protect this country, and so we have no apology to any group, either Shiites Islamic sect, Christian sect, even pagan sect that is threatening the peace of the country.
“We don’t have any issue with the Shiites or any sect at all in the land as long as they obey the law of the land. But if any group tends to challenge the constituted authority of the land, it means that such group does not respect the constitution of the land.
“Even in the military, we have Shiites members, but there is no issue with them because they are law abiding citizens.
“But we have issues with those who create a State within a State, and our rules of engagement are very clear, that is, when there is threat to a constituted authority, it must be arrested before it goes full blown.
“We know the business of violence but we apply it professionally if the peace of the land is being threatened, so we are appealing to Nigerians who are bent on causing violence stay off,” he said.
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