Baga Killings: JTF Was Very Professional – Analyst

[ChannelsTV]

A public policy analyst, Lancelot Anyanya on Thursday defended the Joint Task Force (JTF) as regards the Baga killings stating that the border community has always been a security concern for the nation. While speaking on Channels Television's breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily; Mr. Anyanya said that the JTF should be commended for putting their lives on the line for the peace and stability of Nigerians. "The situation in Baga may have been misunderstood....the crisis in that area has roots in history beyond the advent of the Boko Haram crisis as you know it know" he explained. He argued in support of the security forces in the Baga onslaught which claimed over 180 lives. The federal government has been blamed for the killings and death of civilians in the shoot-out between the force and members of the Boko Haram group in Baga. According to Mr. Anyanya, "the problem in Baga may not necessarily be that of the Boko Haram alone," adding that the presence of the military in the region is not only as a result of the insurgency but because the area has been under the watch list of a multinational task force set up by security officials from Nigeria, Chad and Niger. "The military has been in that region for well over a decade as part of a multinational task force between Nigeria, Chad and Niger to deal with recurring security problems that threaten the security and stability of these countries." Commenting about the claims that the force did not handle the situation professionally he stated that "people should not disrespect the enormous sacrifice that the security community (Nigerian security forces) has made to secure the relative stability and security that we (Nigerians) enjoy." He argued that militants who do not wear uniform can easily be mistaken as civilians to the undiscerning eye, adding that the attack of a militant on a security official is an attack on all Nigerians. He said anyone who says the military did not act professionally is ignorant or mischievous.

Via: ChannelsTV