Against the backdrop of weekend's
killing of about 20 Muslim worshippers by unknown gunmen in Dogo Dawa area of
Kaduna State and claims by the CNN and Aljazeera network's report alleging that
the killings were the handiwork of the military, the Defence Headquarters, last
night, clarified that the killings emanated from reprisal attacks.
A statement signed by
Director of Defence Information, Col. Mohammed Yerima, reads: "The
attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the unsubstantiated
claims by CNN and Aljazeera alleging that the Nigerian military carried out an
early morning attack on Muslim worshippers in a mosque at Dogo Dawa, a village
near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where 20 people were allegedly killed by
unknown gunmen.
"This is contrary
to reports by other local and international media organizations, who reported
that the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen
Reprisal Attack
"Investigation
revealed that the killing was a reprisal attack by a gang of armed robbers who
lost some of their members after a recent raid of their hideout through the
combined effort of the villagers and the vigilante group in that community.
"The Defence
Headquarters wishes to state categorically in the interest of the larger
society that no member of the Nigerian Armed Forces was involved in the said
attack which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 14, 2012.
"We wish to
reassure the general public of our readiness to offer assistance to the Nigeria
Police Force and other security agencies whose primary responsibility is the
maintenance of law and order in the society.
"We are committed
to the defence and protection of our country's hard earned democracy and more
importantly, the Nigerian Armed Forces belong to the Nigerian people."
"We urge members
of the public to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of
molestation from any quarter, and to also report any breach of peace and
security in the society to law enforcement agencies".
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