THE Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State has denied alleged extra-judicial killings by its men, saying the allegation was orchestrated by terrorists to smear the image of the security outfit.
Reacting to a report said to have been published in some newspapers captioned "Soldier filmed colleagues killing captives in Maiduguri," the JTF insisted that the film was stage-managed with "terrorists' oriented spurious allegations." It maintained that there is no established case of extra-judicial killing, arrest or detention by JTF in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and epicenter of the Boko Haram sect.
The denials were contained in a statement by the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa Tuesday in Maiduguri. Musa said there was no established case of extra-judicial killing as reported by Reuters news agency, which was also lifted and carried by some newspapers.
The statement reads in part: "JTF watched the film released, printed and scrutinised the three pictures used as the basis for the allegations and discovered that the first picture was used as the cover page of the Amnesty International report that was released on November 8, 2012. The task force is worried that the same picture is again being used by Reuters News Agency that reported the picture was captured two weeks ago.
"Additionally, the bodies that appear in the pictures cannot be substantiated to be those of Boko Haram sect members or innocent civilians."
The second picture, according to the statement, had earlier been used to maliciously tarnish the image of a task force, which operated in the Middle Belt in 2009. It is curious to notice that the same picture is still being used in November 2012 against the JTF.
The statement further explained: "It was also alleged that a JTF soldier recorded the event and gave them the film. This was found to be completely false, as the person who did the so called recording cannot be a soldier as purported, as a civilian with a camera can be obviously seen in the background of the picture. This picture has no bearing with the JTF operations and supposed secrecy or else, why should a civilian be in the background taking pictures and yet Reuters claimed the film and pictures were secretly released by a soldier.
"The third picture is about the vehicle allegedly used by JTF to carry bodies. A look at the vehicle in the film revealed that the JTF has no such vehicle in its inventory. The JTF vehicles are either Ford or Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles marked in Defence Headquarters or Nigerian Army colours. JTF vehicles are distinctly marked JTF PATROL or OP FLUSH. This same photograph was still used in 2009 against a task force then operating in the middle belt and at that time the JTF Operation RESTORE ORDER had not been established for it was only just established in 2011."
On the alleged carrying of dead bodies, Musa said: "The task force wishes to educate Reuters that JTF troops do not carry dead bodies of civilians as reported and that in such eventualities where civilians are casualties, it is the responsibility of the civil police. The JTF troops only carry the corpses of dead or injured colleagues. Here in Maiduguri, the task force has since discovered that images (pictures) are being exploited by Boko Haram terrorists and their collaborators to enhance their propaganda impact. Also, images are viciously created, made raw materials, terrorists had become producers and the media have no control over the situation given that anyone could maliciously create film or publish images and text on the Internet to enhance propaganda effect."
The JTF appealed to the media to be very careful in broadcasting, printing and distributing of materials gathered outside their own professional means, which have not been further authenticated.
"We are mindful of the public concerns about our operations and will certainly investigate allegations, and where necessary make our findings public. The JTF wishes to once again remind the public, including the media, that it does not condone or encourage indiscipline and anyone found culpable will always be appropriately sanctioned.
"It is pertinent to once again draw the attention of the media to the fact that the Boko Haram terrorists have killed several civilians, Indians, Chinese and security personnel as well as destroyed properties worth millions of naira without the press drawing the needed attention to terrorists' atrocities and silent assassination ongoing in the area. I want to strongly state at this point that there are concerted efforts, including damaging and negative press propaganda by the Boko Haram terrorists, their financiers and sympathisers to smear the image of the JTF, so as to discourage it from actualising its mandate.
"The following telephone numbers – 08064174066, 07085464012 and 08154464012 are hotlines of JTF in case of emergency and media inquisition."
