Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa is the spokesman for the Joint Task Force that has been put in place to restore order in Rivers State. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, he speaks on the efforts of the body to address the security problem in the state. He also maintained that the operation has been largely successful as the body has not encountered any major crisis since last year. Excerpt:
What is your general impression on the fight against cultism in Port Harcourt?
It has been going on with appreciable success. We have had minor skirmishes. Nevertheless it has been a huge success. Except for the attack that occurred in January 1st we have had a very stable and crisis-free situation.
How are you taking the threats by groups, particularly from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to attack military formations this year?
I always say that the threats are mere words. No group of individuals can have the audacity to attack the Nigerian Army or any military formation. If anybody or group tries to test the will of the Nigerian Army, particularly the JTF Flush Three, such people or group will face the music. We are always ever ready to contain this minor insurgence in the Niger Delta, particularly here in Rivers State. I am particular about the state because that is our area of responsibility.
Recently, the convoy of the General Manager (South-East) of the Nigeria Ports Authority was attacked by suspected militants. I am sure the JTF must have done one or two independent findings on the incidence. Some say the attackers utilised time-bomb to carry out their acts. What have you come up with?
When you look at it carefully you can easily disagree with that view point because when they were leaving to the manager�s house, if it were a time-bomb then it would have exploded since the manager would have been the target. The cars were coming back after dropping the manager before the explosion. If it was a time-bomb it was badly timed. Personally, I feel they threw dynamite inside the vehicle and it exploded.
How is the JTF set to combat this new dimension to militancy in the region?
Really, this approach is a new strategy. And the JTF is monitoring the situation with a view to put in place a counter measure. Measures are in place to see that this new guerilla-like tendencies in the crisis will be contained by the JTF.
You have tightened security within and around your barracks. Has it got anything to do with the threat from the militants?
We are just been alive to our responsibilities. World wide, army formations are restricted areas with maximum alertness. That has been the tradition. If you see any fortification or alertness it is just that we are been alive to our duties not because of any threat.
The crisis in the region to some extent has been mainly between the militants and security operatives. What has been the casualty rate on your part, Sir in the last one year?
There has not been any major casualty on our side. The whole of last year except you can�t recollect any major skirmishes between us and them. If not on our side, none. I am telling you that we have not recorded any major casualty. Honestly, speaking, I will tell you if we lost any soldier. If there is any you think, just draw my attention to it. And I will either agree or disagree with you on it.
You will recall that the army command maintained that the January 1st attack might have been influenced by the curfew that was lifted as security was relaxed. I just quoted you Sir. What is your stand now? Should the curfew be reintroduced?
Our position is that the JTF cannot decide that there should be imposition of curfew or lifting of curfew as the case may be. Ours is to give objective and reasonable security advice to the state. Ha! Decisions are left to the State Government. We are bound to abide by it. Our own is that we give expert advice.
What is this expert advice on the curfew issue sir?
We have a way of sending or making our positions known to the relevant authority. I think, it is a sign of indiscipline on our part to come out and say this is our position. Our position has been made clear, we are happy to work under constituted civil authority.
Ateke Tom is your major target in this operations as he seems formidable. How is the JTF reacting to his declaration of cease-fire?
The JTF is not only after Ateke Tom but other militants and cultists, miscreants as the case may be. He is not the only one on our wanted list. Soboma George is there. So, this crusade is not all about Ateke Tom alone. It is a wrong impression. We are out to sanitize the state of all forms of militancy. We want to ensure complete restoration of law and order so that citizens of the state including other residents could carry out their legitimate activities unhindered, unmolested without fear.
Recent attack on Ateke has generated so much reaction. Some said it resulted from existing political differences amongst politicians in the state. This is an ample opportunity for the army to clear the air on this.
JTF is totally apolitical. That is why we don�t want to comment on this issue. We are completely apolitical. And nobody can use us against any person or group in our area of responsibility. We see our task as purely a national duty. And we want to be remembered positively for what we have done when we leave this place. The state should remember the present crop of soldiers in the future for the dogged fight they staged against cultism to rescue the state from the grip of bandits. I want a situation that when they remember JTF, they should say they did well, they were patriotic and honest. This is why we are apolitical.
Residents of Okrika have criticised your men posted to enforce the recent curfew imposed on the state as unfriendly. How do you see the assessment?
The army have always emphasized civil approach in the way the operation is being carried out. That soldiers should be disciplined, responsible and respectful to the civil populace in all our areas of operations. If anybody is molested or pained, we want such a person to report to us. We will investigate and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against such a soldier where necessary.
We will never condone indiscipline, lawlessness and unprofessional conducts on the part of our men. Let me say also that we have been receiving reports that our soldiers there are responsible and disciplined to their civilian counter parts. Honestly, we can�t stop having bad elements. And it is this bad elements that we want to flush out. Sometimes again, situations dictate the behavior pattern of an individual.
How does the JTF see militancy and crime in the region?
One thing leads to the other. If there is genuine struggle for the collective interest of the region so be it. It is acceptable world wide. But where such movement is used as cover to carry out crime against the larger society and the state, then it is no longer for the common good. And these criminal interests is what the JTF is checking.
Let�s have an idea of the number of militants that have been arrested in the last one year?
No comment for security reasons.
Any advice to the people?
The normal advice I have for my brothers and sisters that resort to lawlessness for their selfish reason is for them to desist for their own good and the good of the public. And they should know that they can�t run away from the law. And that one day and very soon they will be arrested and be made to face the law, answer for their actions and inactions.