Jaji attacks: Redeployment not based on religion – Army

The Nigerian Army has denied that the changes in command at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), and Infantry Corps and Centre (ICC), in Jaji, Kaduna state is religious.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, stated this yesterday while briefing journalist, at the NA Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking through NA Director of military intelligence, Major General Ahmed Tijani Jibrin, Ihejirika said the military is not in support or against both the Christian and Muslim religions in the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there was no religious consideration in the changes made in the aftermath of the 25 November 2012 terrorist attack at Jaji. It will therefore be a great disservice to the nation for anyone to make statements linking the activities of the military with ethno-religious considerations,” he said.
He explained that earlier attacks on military barracks prompted the review of policies in all military locations in Nigeria, adding that this was in order to prevent future reoccurrence.
“It is in this regard that when Headquarters 1 Division was attacked on 7 February this year that the general commanding officer was redeployed. The change was not a punishment, but part of measures to enable a new hand tackle lapses, shortcomings and limitations that would be identified in the course of investigations,” he noted.
“It is worthy to note that the GOC removed Maj. Gen JO Shoboiki js a Christian and was replaced by a Muslim, Maj. Gen Garba Abdulwahab. Nobody then raised the issue of religious sentiments,” he added.