Taraba Police Killings: Military Concludes Investigation – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai yesterday said the army would take decisive action against its personnel involved in the killing of policemen in Taraba State. Buratai, who made this known during the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined second and third quarters conference in Abuja, also said the military has concluded investigation on the killings. He said the circumstances of the incident call for better inter-agency collaboration to forestall future occurrence. He also charged unit commanders to reorient their soldiers on civil-military relations and inter-service/inter-agency relationship. He said such clashes reflect negatively on the image of the Nigerian army, noting that “It is imperative to be more proactive in ensuring discipline and professionalism of our personnel in dealing with other agencies of government and indeed the larger society.” He said “We should all note that the Nigerian Army as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is mandated to support the civil authority and the Nigerian Police Force in internal security operations.” “However recent occurrences have shown that there is need for more reorientation on civil-military relations and inter-service relations at the junior level,” he said. He added that “Unfortunately incidences such the one at Ibi in Taraba State which generated intense media comments are not healthy for the smooth cooperation and operation of our security forces. “Investigations have been completed and decisive actions will be taken to ensure it never happens again,” he said. Buratai also said the army has redefined Operation Lafiya Dole with the Super Camp concept to end terrorism in the Northeast. He said the Super Camp Concept entails the concentration of fighting forces in strongholds that have the capacity to respond swiftly to threats. The COAS said 20 Super Camps have been established in the Northeast with more platforms deployed to support the initiative.