The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has faulted Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for accusing Nigerian Army personnel of Operation Lafiya Dole of extorting commuters on major roads in the state.
However, the DHQ vowed to investigate the allegations laid by the governor, who said that the soldiers that should be protecting commuters on Maiduguri-Damaturu highway were busy extorting them.
The military’s statement was signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche.
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria have internal mechanisms to check erring personnel and sanction them appropriately.
Enenche added that reported cases of extortion from the public had always been investigated and given the desired attention.
He, however, faulted what he described as “the media or open air accusation” to tag gallant Nigerian Army personnel as extortionists in check points in Borno.
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“The attention of the Nigerian Military has been drawn to the media/air accusation by the Executive Governor of Borno State, that Nigerian Army personnel deployed at checkpoints in Operation Lafiya Dole collects money from commuters. While the Nigerian Military is in no way joining issues with the Governor, it is necessary to clarify this generalised statement against the troops who without hesitation lay down their lives for all Nigerians.
“It is worthy of note that, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have internal mechanisms to checkmate and sanction appropriately its erring personnel.
“Additionally, reported cases from the public in this regard are investigated and given the desired attention. Thus, it will not be correct to rely on media or open-air accusation to tag our gallant Nigerian Army personnel as extortioners at checkpoints in Borno State,” Enenche stated.
According to him, all personnel of the Armed Forces are patriotic and focused on their call of duty.
“The High Command of the Nigerian Military hereby re-states the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other Security Agencies to tackling and ending terrorism in the North East,” he said.
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