The Nigerian Army has lodged an accusation against Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper, claiming that it has been inciting troops and destabilizing the country by spreading false information regarding corruption, nepotism, and religious and ethnic bias within the Nigerian Army (NA).
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, expressed his disappointment with the report, stating that it contradicted the values of national unity embodied by the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Nwachukwu further criticized the report for its derogatory remarks about the selection process for competent troops in Peace Support Operations (PSO), which has earned the Nigerian Army international recognition and a commendable reputation.
He accused Sahara Reporters of lacking knowledge about the routine deployment exercises in the Nigerian Army, asserting that their allegations were baseless and demonstrated a delusional mindset.
He condemned Sahara Reporters for attempting to incite violence and destabilize the nation through deceitful and self-serving means.
While acknowledging Sahara Reporters’ unprofessional and unreliable journalism, the Army spokesperson emphasized the need to address the false allegations due to their potential impact on the reputation of the Nigerian Army and the well-being of dedicated officers and soldiers who tirelessly defend the nation’s sovereignty and global peace.
Nwachukwu highlighted the significant positive changes witnessed within the Nigerian Army under the current leadership, such as improved morale, fighting spirit, and physical capabilities.
He emphasized that posting and redeployment in various units, including the Army Headquarters, were routine exercises aimed at ensuring operational efficiency.
He also explained the criteria for selecting personnel for PSOs, which includes a minimum of two years of participation in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
The spokesperson provided evidence of the Nigerian Army’s improved state, citing the acquisition of modern combat and logistics equipment and the introduction of welfare packages, including prompt payment of salaries and operational allowances.
He mentioned the establishment of welfare flights, which reduced the burden on troops traveling to see their families, as well as the commitment to medical care for wounded officers and soldiers.
Additionally, scholarships are being awarded to children of fallen officers and soldiers, while efforts are being made to provide better living conditions for troops and their families through extensive barracks construction and renovation projects.
Nwachukwu questioned the motives behind Sahara Reporters’ readiness to embrace the narratives propagated by conflict merchants and provocateurs who seek to undermine the Nigerian Army’s dedication in combating terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes in the nation and the West African sub-region.
He suggested that the online media may have ulterior motives or selfish gains, which should be critically examined by those who can differentiate between professional and unethical journalism.
The Army spokesperson condemned the attempt to give an ethnic, religious, and nepotistic coloration to the Nigerian Army’s activities, emphasizing that the institution represents national unity and must not be divided along such lines.
He affirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its constitutional role and implementing welfare programs for the benefit of all personnel.
Nwachukwu urged Nigerian Army personnel to remain steadfast and unaffected by the efforts of unpatriotic individuals who aim to create disunity and chaos for their own interests.
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