Southern, Middle Belt leaders condemn demotion of General Adeniyi

Southern and Middle Belt Leaders (SMBLF) has condemned in unequivocal terms the recent demotion of General Olusegun Adeniyi by a rank and sentencing of his assistant for 28 days of hard labour.

The forum made the condemnation on Thursday in a statement jointly signed by Mr Yinka Odumakin for South-West, Chief Guy Ikokwu
(South-East), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South-South and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle-Belt), copy of which was made available to Tribune Online in Lagos.

SMBLF said with the step taken, it found the country incomprehensible that Adeniyi, who the military authorities had severely commended for conducting the good fight against the dreaded Boko Haram was same being promptly court-martialed because he said he now lacked weapons to engage the terror group.

The forum, while frowning at the action taken by the military high command, recalled that “Adeniyi’s ordeal started with his complaints about those who sent him to lead troops to go and fight Boko Haram with bare knuckles,” following earlier losses suffered by his troops in the hands the terrorists.

According to SMBLF, this is against the background of the troops under him, “the gallant general who had won so many awards and commendations for his command of Lafiya Dole,” positing that the complaint made by Adeniyi through video clips raised questions on what happened to the last $1billion released for Armed Forces to procure weapons to fight Boko Haram in the North-East.

“Gen Adeniyi’s ordeal started with his complaints about those who sent him to lead troops to go and fight Boko Haram with bare knuckles.

“The troops under the gallant General who had won so many awards and commendations for his command of Lafiya Dole, has now lost so many troops in combat recently, raising questions on what happened to the last $1b released for Armed Forces to buy weapons.

“The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, General Olusegun Adeniyi, who once led the country’s onslaught against Boko Haram, was found guilty of violating some sections of the rules of engagement,” SMBLF said.

However, the forum noted that while it may be said that the army was only enforcing its rule in respect of General Adeniyi’s matter, queried why the same rule was not applied against Northern-Muslim officers who were accused of giving out the routes of the country’s soldiers to Boko Haram, and who brutally murdered them more than two years ago.

Besides, SMBLF also queried what had the Air Force done till date over the controversial killing last July in Kaduna of renowned Air Force officer, Tolulope Arotile, renowned for her deadly exploits against Boko Haram.

“While it may be said that the Army is only enforcing its rule, why was the rule mute against Northern-Muslim officers who were accused of giving out the routes of our soldiers who were brutally murdered over two years ago to Boko Haram.

“And what has the Air Force done till date over the controversial killing of Tolulope Arotile in Kaduna last July, an officer renowned for deadly exploits against Boko Haram,” it said.

“It is an officer it commended for conducting the good fight against Boko Haram who is being promptly court-martialed because he says he now lacks weapons. This country is incomprehensible,” it added.

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