Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has clarified his recent statement about retired Army generals and their alleged involvement in illegal gold mining and banditry in Northern Nigeria. Speaking during an interview with Arise Television from 4.23, he said he never accused all retired generals of being part of the problem.
Oshiomhole explained that many retired generals are struggling financially. Some of them, he said, cannot even afford to change the batteries in their cars because they retired as true military officers without engaging in politics or business.
However, he pointed out that a few retired generals are involved in illegal activities. He recalled a conversation with a retired general who once worked with him during his time as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The general had warned him that some powerful retired officers were using helicopters to transport weapons and gold from illegal mining sites. These weapons were sometimes used to protect the mining operations, while others were given to criminals who later used them for kidnapping and attacking innocent people.
Oshiomhole also criticized the way the government handles security in different parts of the country. He questioned why the same level of military force used to protect oil in the Niger Delta is not being used to stop illegal mining and banditry in the North.
Oshiomhole explained that he was not generalizing or blaming all retired generals. He simply wanted to highlight the role of some powerful individuals in the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
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