The Taraba State Government on Saturday expressed shock over the alleged sudden withdrawal of the military contingent deployed to enforce peace and security in the southern part of the state.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan-Abu, the government lamented what it described as the “unceremonious withdrawal of soldiers from the operations.
“The surprise is that no reason was given for the withdrawal and the government was not aware.
“At the moment the reason for the withdrawal of the soldiers is not known to us.”
Also, the Chairman of Donga Local Government Area, Nashuka Ipeyen, told newsmen in an interview that soldiers deployed to troubled spots in the local government started pulling out around 1am on Saturday.
Ipeyen explained that on receipt of the information, he quickly contacted the Commanding Officer, 93 Battalion, Ada Barack, Takum, Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Gambari, who said he ordered the withdrawal of the soldiers.
He said: “I complained to him over the withdrawal of soldiers because we received information that some villages were going to be attacked, but he told me he would not risk the lives of his soldiers.
“The Commanding Officer insisted that he was withdrawing the soldiers until the state government writes an undertaking that it will take responsibility if any of the soldiers is attacked or killed.
“I don’t know why the state government would have to do that for the soldiers when the attackers are killing civilians on daily basis.
“However, I have made arrangement with the Commissioner of Police who has since deployed three trucks of mobile police personnel to provide security for the people.”
In a swift reaction, the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 23 Brigade, Yola, Major Kamarudeen Adegoke, denied the allegation, saying no soldier was withdrawn from the local government.
Adegoke said: “All our men are still stationed at their various duty posts.
“I don’t know where the state government has gotten its information that troops have been withdrawn, but what I can confirm to you is that our men are fully on ground.”
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