By Monday Ocheja :
The Nigerian Army (NA) says it disagreed and shocked, over an exclusive report published and circulated by an online medium, (name withheld) over a mislead information that the military mandate soldiers visiting families to buy 6000 torches before allowed to traveled.
“Knowing the modus operandi of the said platform, which derived happiness in maligning and denigrating government institutions and establishment over the years”.
The military spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement, says it would have been uncalled for, for the army to give an ear to this shameful headline of lies.
“However, for the sake of our country to whom the Army is accountable to, it’s right to set the record straight, for the benefit of the public.
“It’s a known fact, that the Army spares no effort in ensuring that our troops are properly kitted with supplies and other ordnances as much as possible, base on available resources, all important kits that would help our troops to effectively carrying out assigned tasks are routinely issued and prioritized to troops at the front lines, he said.
‘Moreover, “leave” and “passes” are pure command responsibilities which are taken seriously by the NA, especially in operational theaters.
Personnel who intend to go on leave or pass are listed in a roster, well ahead of the anticipated time of travel and are usually released without any fuss, inline with well established administrative procedures.
“Furthermore, The chief of Army staff (COAS) recently approved welfare flight for Army going on pass or leave. This is also being strictly followed and implemented by the Department of operation at the Army Headquarters, He added.
“There fore, to said , that the NA mandates it personnel to purchase torches for their units before proceeding on leave or pass in other to see their love ones, it’s ridiculous, mischievous and outrightly misleading. This spurious allegation should therefore be seen as evil by the general public.
“It must be pointed out here, that the chief of army staff, since on the assumption of duty, General Faruk Yahaya, that no effort has been spared to improve the personnel welfare, fighting in front-lines.
He says, Several aspects of the war, effort have been addressed, in order to improved troops fighting efficiency, and equipment amongst others.
“The Army wishes to affirm that it personnel remain motivated to achieve the task at hand, which is to decisively curtains the activities of the dreaded Boko haram and the Islamic State of West Africa province, terrorists in the North East theater of operations.
“Finally, NA equally wishes to use this medium to call on all Media houses to exhibit professionalism through balance and fair reportage”, the statement concludes.
