Benue killing: Whoever touches soldiers has no regard for Nigeria, says defence minister

Bashir Magashi, minister of defence, has condemned the killing of soldiers in Benue state.

On April 9, Mohammed Yerima, army spokesman, said the bodies of 10 soldiers and one officer were recovered in Konshisha LGA of Benue state, following an attack on troops in the area.

Speaking on the incident at a media briefing on Thursday, Magashi said serious action will be taken against the perpetrators, as such an attack on soldiers is an insult to Nigeria.

“The military is not taking kindly to that. Let me just tell you this. I have been to the Benue state government. I have seen the governor and we have told him the blatant truth about the position of the military in this country,” he said.

 “Whoever touches the military has no regard for this country. This country is governed by the rule of law, and we have accepted democracy as a solution to the liberty of individuals in this country.

“We have been very firm. We have succeeded in reiterating to them what we actually want, and we have got some answers that the weapons that were captured from the soldiers have been retrieved. At least, we have nine of them out of 12 and the perpetrators have been captured and taken to the police for proper interrogation and subsequent prosecution.”

He, however, added that the military will remain focused on its constitutional duty of securing the country, and expressed optimism that there will be improvement with the deployment of new security equipment expected to arrive Nigeria soon.