From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
The Presidency has described as misleading a report by an international television station, Aljazeera, that there are civilian casualties resulting from the state of emergency declared in three northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe last month.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, insisted that the security operations are meant to protect the civilian population and the territory from the macabre and dastardly assault on the Nigerian state by insurgents and terrorists and not against them as misinterpreted by Aljazeera.
He said the military has conformed to the President's directive and just recently, he ordered the release of women and under-aged persons in protective custody, and made arrangements for their immediate rehabilitation. Fifty eight persons in this category have been released.
Abati also said the Armed Forces have secured the release of six women and children in Boko Haram captivity, adding that there was nothing to suggest so far, any violation of operational orders by the troops operating in the North East.
The Presidential Spokesman said "while the government welcomes an open scrutiny of government's activities, it rejects any attempt to exploit the security situation in the North East to malign, discredit or otherwise undermine the country's efforts by other surreptitious means."
He added that "There can be no doubt that the Al Jazeera report of May 31 is in very bad taste".
The statement said, "We view with grave concern, the attempt by sections of the media, especially the foreign media to mislead the general public and the international community about the on-going State of Emergency and military operations in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states. For the avoidance of doubt, the declaration of a state of emergency and the consequential security operations are meant to protect the civilian population and the territory from the macabre and dastardly assault on the Nigerian state by insurgents and terrorists. It's not an operation against innocent citizens as Al-Jazeera and others are suggesting.
"In executing this sovereign objective, President Jonathan explicitly directed that the operations be conducted in line with applicable rules of engagement and peculiar care in managing a unique situation. In an earlier statement, he had also made it clear to the military high command and received assurances that those who violate their operational orders will be disciplined accordingly.
Via: Sun News Online