The Nigerian Army has dismissed media reports alleging that the army is asking soldiers visiting families to bring 6,000 torches before travelling.
According to Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the media house that published the report is a medium that derives delight in maligning and denigrating government institutions and establishments, and as such it would have been unnecessary to give an ear to this screaming headline of lies.
He said Nigerian Army spares no effort in ensuring that troops are properly kitted with supplies and other ordnances as much as possible, based on available resources.
The army spokesman said all essential kits that would aid troops in effectively carrying out assigned tasks are routinely issued and prioritized to troops at the front lines.
He added that “Leaves” and “Passes” are Command responsibilities which are taken seriously by the Nigerian Army, especially in operational theatres.
Nwachukwu said 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, in line with well-established administrative procedures.
He said the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) also recently approved welfare flights for personnel going on pass or leave, adding that is also being strictly implemented and monitored by the Department of Operations at the Army Headquarters.
Nwachukwu said the report that the Nigerian Army mandates soldiers to purchase torches for their units before proceeding on leave or pass in order to see their families, is ridiculous, mischievous and out-rightly misleading.
He urged the general public to discountenanced the spurious allegation.
He pointed out that since the assumption of command of Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya as CoAS, no effort has been spared to improve the welfare of troops fighting in the front lines.
Nwachukwu said several aspects of the war effort have been addressed in order to improve troops’ fighting efficiency and equipment, amongst others.
He affirmed that the troops remain motivated to achieve the task at hand, which is to decisively curtail the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in the North-East theatre of operations.
The Army spokesman called on media organisations to exhibit professionalism through balanced and fair reportage.
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