Godsgift Onyedinefu
The Nigeria Army on Tuesday alleged plans by what it termed ‘fifth Columnists ‘ to destabilise the service and distract troops from ongoing operations against terrorism and other criminality.
Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this in a statement sent to GLOBAL SENTINEL on Tuesday decried the spate of fake reports targeted at blackmailing the service.
Nwachukwu said this while reacting to a report alleging that senior officers of the military were leaking information to bandits and terrorists.
“It is unimaginable to make such nocuous insinuations. The Nigerian Army(NA) is not unmindful of the fact that there are fifth columnists who in their characteristic manner peddle unsubstantiated and spurious reports to denigrate this highly revered national institution, the Nigerian Army,” Nwachukwu stated.
“I must unequivocally state that these allegations remain largely unpatriotic and misleading. The NA remains a professional force that conducts its operations in line with global best practices for military operations.
“Therefore, the insinuation that senior military officers leak information to adversaries is obnoxious, as no top brass of the military would allow or permit compromise of national security, knowing fully, that it could lead to loss of lives and equipment and above all having sworn to an oath of allegiance to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our nation. Nigerian Army officers and soldiers are patriotic and have demonstrated these on several fronts both on and outside the shores of Nigeria. I think we need to put an end to all these unnecessary blackmail and distractions to allow our troops to concentrate on ongoing operations,” he added.
The DAPR maintained that all operations conducted by the NA are intelligence-driven. This, according to him, is evident in the operational successes so far recorded, that effectively neutralised key terrorist commanders and orchestrated the ongoing massive surrendering of Boko Haram/ISWAP foot soldiers.
“However, if there are operations, if any, where engagements could not hold, it could be due to several other factors, which are not necessarily sabotaging, but resulting from the dynamics and fluidity of operations.
“I must state emphatically, that NA officers and soldiers are professionals, and some of the best that have contributed significantly to global peace and security,” he further said.