We Don’t Condone Sabotaging Our Efforts – Nigerian Army Rejects Claim On Soldiers Aiding Terrorists
Nigerian army says it does not condone any form of sabotage that undermines its personnel's sacrifice.
The Nigerian Army has rejected the allegation that soldiers connive with terror gangs wreaking havoc in the Northwest, saying it does not condone any form of sabotage.
Speaking on an Arise Television Programme on Wednesday, June 23, Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric who has visited the terrorists’ enclaves, had accused security personnel of providing arms to terror gangs, known locally as bandits.
“These bandits, if you don’t know, are cooperating with a lot of bad elements in our security system. This is a business. So many people are involved, you’ll be so surprised,” Gumi had said.
The frequency of the terrorist attacks and kidnappings in the region, has become increasingly worrisome, raising questions about where the terror groups are sourcing their heavy weapons.
In March, a soldier, alongside his girlfriend, were rounded up for supplying arms and military fatigues to the terrorists in Zamfara state, the nerve centre of the terror activities in the Northwest.
Berating the Cleric’s claim, Onyema Nwachukwu, army’s spokesperson, in a statement said while the army will not excuse the possibility of “black sheep amongst its fold,” it does not condone acts sabotaging its efforts as provided in the Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Nwachukwu said the allegation was a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of “patriotic troops who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.”
“It is essential to remind ourselves that these same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yauri, from kidnappers,” he said.
“It must also be pointed out, that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism, it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals.”
He said opinion leaders must demonstrate patriotism in building peace, rather than being agents of destabilisation by aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.
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