…says Non-State actors’ activities under scrutiny
…insists AFN not recruiting killers
The activities of Non-State Actors (NSAs), including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), multinational corporations (MNCs), terrorist networks, criminal cartels, and armed insurgent groups, are being closely monitored, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) revealed on Tuesday.
This is as the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) stated categorically that “killers” were not being recruited into the Military, as alleged in some quarters.
Fundamentally, the Military said through their national identification number (NIN) registrations, ex-combatants are constantly evaluated in a bid to keep them true to their oath.
The disclosure was made during a briefing on troops’ kinetic and non-kinetic gains in the Just-concluded first quarter by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
“The AFN reaffirms its commitment to operating in strict accordance with its rules of engagement, international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and all applicable legal frameworks.
“Ongoing operations will be further intensified to decisively dismantle all remaining criminal and terrorist elements.
“The AFN continues to monitor the activities of non-state actors and will hold them accountable”, General Onoja noted.
Also speaking, the national coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig-Gen. Yusuf Ali, reassured on diligent monitoring of reintegrated ex-combatants.
His words: “We have a robust monitoring and evaluation in place that comprises traditional rulers, spiritual, religious leaders, Igbo youth leaders, up to the community level.
“Because the reintegration process is managed, the reintegration component is the responsibility of the various state governments.
“We only provide the client for them after they graduate, then the state governments reintegrate them into society.
“And they do that by co-opting traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other key leaders at the community level. And any client who passed through Operation Safe Corridor is registered in the National Identity Management Commission database used for tracking them.
“So if they say that any of them, probably, that was reintegrated into one community in Akwa Ibom State, was caught stealing, immediately at the push of a button, you have every information about him.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has extended profound appreciation to all AFN personnel for their sacrifice and dedication.
“He commended the invaluable support of sister security agencies, the media, and the Nigerian public, whose cooperation and timely intelligence remain critical to operational success.
“The CDS pays solemn tribute to those who paid the supreme price in service to the nation, reassuring their families that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
“The CDS acknowledges the Presidential Directive to create a special fund for veterans and the military personnel who are victims/affected by war”.
