Retired Air Force officer, Wing Commander P.Y. Biakpara, has stated that the Federal Government is using the Army carelessly, News About Nigeria reports.
He stated this while maintaining that there are rules of engagement and that the Army has no business with peace talks.
He noted that issues like this are meant to be handled by the Police, stating that it is only when the situation goes beyond the Police, that the Army should be called upon.
He condemned the interference of the Army on little issues, stating that it was an indicator that the Army has nothing to do.
He, however, sympathised with the families of the lost soldiers and civilians, stating that he is saddened by the turn of events.
“I am a military man and there are rules of engagement. Things start from the police and it is only when the situation goes beyond the police that the army is rarely called upon. If there is any small issue, one person will run to the army checkpoint and soldiers will go there, nonsense! That means our army has nothing to do.
“I am not happy about what happened at Okuama and I sympathise with the families of the lost heroes, as well as innocent civilian lives lost in this issue. I’m not happy about the whole thing.
“The government should be well advised that they should not use the military in this wrong way, they are using the military very, very carelessly. The military is not made to make peace, and even if they make peace, they will kill people to make that peace,” he stated.
He further said that the country is paying the price for the misuse of the military and noted that the Army losing a weapon is the worst thing, adding that they will go after those who took their weapons.
He, therefore, urged the perpetrators to find ways to return the weapons of the Army, stating that the more they keep their weapons, the more there will be problems.
