The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has dismissed calls on the international community to impose a travel ban on top military officers over alleged violation of human rights of some Nigerians during the #EndSARS protest.
Mr Buratai made this known on Monday in Abuja during a meeting with the General Officers Commanding, GOCs, of the Divisions and Operation Commanders of the Nigerian Army over the #EndSARS protests.
He said: “Criminal elements are threatening us with travel ban but we are not worried because we must remain in this country to make it better.
“The first time I travelled outside of this country, I was already 50 years and a General, so I don’t mind if I live the rest of my life here”.
Emerging out of the closed-door meeting, Mr Buratai assured that, “subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation will not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilization”.
He said: “The Nigerian Army is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria. The best system of governance is democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and steady.
“We will not allow any force, elements or destabilising agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire.”
“We remain resolute in doing everything possible to ensure that subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation do not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilization.”
The Army Chief categorically told the GOCs and the Field Commanders that “there will be no room for disloyalty amongst all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.”
He directed them to “reiterate to all their subordinates that the NA is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria as the only panacea for development and progress.”
The COAS further noted that, “the events of the past few days in our dear nation have shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilize Nigeria by all means.”
“These individuals, groups and other undesirable elements have hijacked the peaceful #BNDSARS protest marches resulting to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country. These acts led to the imposition of curfew in several states of the federation,” he added.
