A North-West youth group, Arewa Alliance for Development has described the allegation labelled against the military of aiding and profiting from terrorism activities in Katsina State as untrue.
The group in a statement on Wednesday said Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State may have been fed with the wrong facts on the ground.
The release signed by the Convener of the group, Isyaku Bello and Secretary, Sani Mahdi described the allegation as weighty and capable of dampening morale of troops engaged in military operations in the region.
The youths said rather, leaders in the North-West should put in more efforts to sincerely tackle insecurity in the North and give the Armed Forces of Nigeria all needed support.
Admitting that the North is bleeding economically, the group further emphasized that the case would have been worse if not for the military under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
The Arewa youths admonished further that comments from leaders should be carefully chosen in view of the security challenges facing the North.
It noted that the military have continued to make sacrifices for peace in the region, saying if there is any infringement, it should not be generalised.
The group said the Armed forces of Nigeria have performed creditably, resulting in the killings of those disturbing the peace of the region.
According to the youths, “How can you say the AFN is profiting from terrorism when some of them have fallen victims to the criminals causing devastation in the region?”
“Arewa Alliance for Development urge leaders to in words and actions support, and not dampen morale of troops. We must not send messages that will cause more tension in the region,” the youths added.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also on Wednesday denied allegation of the military aiding and profiting from terrorist activities in the county as claimed by Governor Radda, asking that the claim be substantiated with facts.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by Director Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba.
In faulting the claim, the statement declared that the Armed Forces of Nigeria led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of criminality in the conduct of operations across the country.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a weighty allegation labelled against the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Governor Dikko Radda. The Governor granted an interview on the Channels television programme ‘Politics Today’ on 5April 2024 alleging that the Military is aiding and profiting from terrorist activities.
“The AFN is hereby making it categorically clear that, it is subservient to all elected government representatives and therefore regards the relationship with utmost respect.
“In the light of the aforementioned statement of His Excellency Governor of Katsina State, the AFN elects not to join words with the state Governor but rather would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations,” the statement said.