I Cannot Discuss Security Situation In Kaduna – Army Spokesman

The Nigerian Army appears to be treating the security situation in Kaduna with extreme caution and may not want officers speaking on the issue.

An attempt to get Col Sagir Muhammed, Director of Army Public Relations to comment on the renewed violence in Kaduna hit a brick wall.

THE WHISTLER had asked him to explain why it has been impossible for soldiers deployed to  Kaduna State to stop the recent  attacks  that occurred in some communities during lockdown which claimed the lives of not less than 17 persons.

Col Muhammed said: “ You should get the officers on ground in Kaduna, they are in a better position to tell you their challenges. As the director of army public relations I know about everything happening but for you to get credible information, you should speak to them.”

When the reporter called Ezindu Idimah, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations in Kaduna, he also refused to speak on the situation in the state.

“I will advise you to go to our media office at the Defence Headquarters, that is where they normally hold press briefings,” he told  the reporter on telephone.

When told that Col Muhammed had asked the reporter to contact him, he said : “Yes, I know. But it is better you go to our media office and ask them. That is where you can get all information.”

A Southern Kaduna group had accused security personnel of doing nothing to stop killings in their area following attacks on Gonan Rogo village in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state where 17 people were reported killed.

Meanwhile Col Muhammed  denied that soldiers were being kidnapped by bandits in Katsina and Kaduna States.

“I am not aware of soldiers  being kidnapped in Kaduna or Katsina because if there’s such incidence, the media  would have reported it. When such happened somewhere in the Southwest,  a captain. The media reported it.

“If there’s kidnap of soldiers, not even one, it cannot be hidden and the media would have known about it,” he said.