Army clarifies statement on the accusation of Borno leaders working for the elongation of insurgency in the North East

The Nigerian Army in a new statement says though it maintains some people in the North East are working for the elongation of insurgency in the North East region, it however did not categorically accuse the Borno Elders Leaders of Thought (BELT). The clarification statement below...

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to observations and concerns by well meaning Nigerians especially the Borno Elders Leaders of Thought (BELT) about the misinterpretations of the warning. Therefore, it becomes necessary to clarify to the effect that the statement released yesterday does not refer to the leaders of BELT or majority of the good people and law abiding prominent citizens of Borno State.

I neither mention any organization's or individual's name. However, the warning was to inform a specific group of people whose activities are imminical to our collective quest for peace as enumerated in the release. At this point, it is important to observe that what is required at this crucial period is for everyone to rally round the Federal Government to bring to a speedy end the wanton destruction of lives and properties by the Boko Haram insurgency. We believe that the Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought cannot hold any clandestine meetings and therefore as a responsible organisation the Nigerian Army holds them in high esteem. We however wish to reiterate unequivocally that the Nigerian Army has credible information that certain individuals and groups are losing out of the successes being achieved and therefore want to discredit the renewed fight against Boko Haram. We would not tolerate nor allow them to actualize their nefarious intents.

Thank you for your usual cooperation. Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman