By Suleiman Anyalewechi.
The Military High Command on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, said it cannot be distracted, nor perturbed by unsubstantiated accusations against the operational ethos of officers and men of the Nigerian Military.
This is even as it has challenged the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Umar Dikko Radda, to butress his allegation that the military is profiting from the ongoing banditry and other insurgent activities in some parts of the Northern Region.
The Source reports that the Governor, whose State is one of the epicentres of banditry, kidnappings, and other violent criminal activities in the Northern Region, had in an interview with the Channels Television attributed the festering insecurity in the region to the fact that it has become a lucrative industry for some people and security operatives, including the Military.
Governor Radda had insisted that the personal interests of some people ,including Military personnel supposedly leading the battle line against bandits and other criminal elements are part of the reasons the insecurity situation in the region has been difficult to halt.
But the Military Authorities have not only faulted the Governor’s allegation, but also described it as distractive and potentially capable of demoralising the troops currently engaged in the fight against insurgency in the Northern region.
Edward Buba, a major General, and spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters at a briefing in Abuja said the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not join issues with Governor Radda but rather will want him to come forward to substantiate his claims.
“In the light of the aforementioned statement by the Governor ,the armed forces of Nigeria elect not to join words with him ,but would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations.
“It is worthy of note to state that the AFN ,led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa ,has zero tolerance for indiscipline in the conduct of operations across the country .
“It is for this reason that there are standing court marshalls to treat any form of misbehaviour by troops ,especially those that portray the military negatively to the general public.
“Meanwhile, the Military remains unperturbed by such statements capable of demoralising the troops in theatres of operation. Rather we will continue on the trajectory of conducting operations as well as working assiduously in the fight against terrorism” the Defence spokesman stated.
