After a probe directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government is sure that troops deployed in the Northeast to fight Boko Haram are not suffering.
The report also indicated that there are no cases of hunger, starvation or begging among the troops.
The government said the allegations of irregular/short payment of allowances, poor equipment, inadequate kitting and accommodation were “ill-conceived” and “unfounded”.
Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, who yesterday released the outcome of the investigation to the media in Abuja, said the inflow of logistics into the theatre in the past six months showed an enormous quantity of material.
Mohammed said: “Recall, gentlemen, that a little over three months ago, precisely on July 11th 2018, we launched a National Campaign Against Fake News. At the launch, we said the campaign is to sensitise all Nigerians to the dangers posed to the peace and security, and indeed the corporate existence of Nigeria, by the phenomenon.
“We said that each and every Nigerian has a role to play in curtailing the spread of fake news. We also said Nigerians should not share any information they cannot verify.
“Two months and 10 days after the launch, specifically on Sept. 21st 2018, an online publication reported alleged deplorable conditions of the troops who are fighting Boko Haram in the Northeast.
“Quoting a phantom Corporal, with the pseudonym Gandoki, said to be serving with one of the Special Forces Units in the theatre of operation, the publication alleged that troops deployed in particular along Gubio Road and the Brig.-Gen. Maimalari Secondary School were begging for food to survive, were poorly kitted with some wearing slippers and were facing irregular/short payment of their allowances. The publication also reported non-serviceable equipment in the theatre.
“These allegations have grave implications for the security of the nation, hence the allegations were taken seriously by the President and Commander-in-Chief, who subsequently ordered an investigation to determine the veracity or otherwise of the claims in the publication.”
The Minister said investigation revealed that troops were not being subjected to any form of suffering or degradation.
He added: “Gentlemen, the investigation has since been concluded and, in line with the transparent stance of this Administration, I have invited you here today to share with you the outcome.
“ The summary of the findings is that there is no case of hunger, starvation or begging among the troops fighting in the Northeast, and in particular in the Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion that was referenced in the publication.
“ There is also no irregular/short payment of allowances while claims of poor equipment, inadequate kitting and accommodation are found to be ill conceived and unfounded.”
Mohammed gave an insight into how troops were being fed at the war front and inflow of kits and equipment.
He said: “Let me elaborate. The troops in question, deployed at Brig.-Gen. Maimalari Secondary School along Gubio Road, are being fed centrally three times a day, and are kitted immediately after their training before they are deployed in the theatre.
“ How then can soldiers who are fed centrally be starving or begging for food? Concerning the payment of allowances, the monthly allowances of troops of the AFSF Battalion are being paid directly into their various accounts from the Defence Headquarters, hence they cannot be shortchanged.
“On the allegation of poor equipment and inadequate kitting, it was found that the inflow of logistics into the theatre in the past six months showed an enormous quantity of material was distributed to troops in the theatre. Needless to say that no army in the world has all the requisite equipment to prosecute a counter-insurgency operation
“ Let me recap: There is no issue of hunger, improper kitting of soldiers, non-payment or short-payment of soldiers’ allowances and poor equipment at the AFSF Battalion or in any other units within Operation Lafiya Dole theatre.
“If anything, the publication in question exhibited poor understanding of what obtains in the theatre of military operations. For example, the claim of poor accommodation in an operational environment.
“By their training, soldiers in theatres of war are usually in trenches, tents or other makeshift structures.
“Fighting insurgency is not a walk in the park and the gallant men and women in uniform who are engaged in counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast are not on a luxurious expedition. The battlefront is no playground.”
The minister, who praised the troops for making great sacrifices, urged the media to exercise restraint.
He said: “Our men and women in uniform are making great sacrifices for us as a nation. They stay awake and are constantly in harm’s way so that you and I can sleep well and be safe. I saw this first hand when I took over 30 local and international journalists to the Northeast in December 2015. As we drove from Maiduguri to Bama, passing through Konduga, Kaure and other towns along the way, we saw gallant troops deployed on desolate roads and bushes.
“We saw them perched on very high towers, where they stay for hours on end. We marvelled at the sacrifices they are all making on our behalf. The least we can do is to support and pray for them.
“Engaging in the publication of what I can now call fake news about the troops on Sept. 21st 2018 is not only a great disservice to the nation, but a terrible downplay of the kind of sacrifices being made by our gallant troops.
“Such reports amount to collaborating with fifth columnists and enemies of the nation to weaken the fighting spirit of our fighting forces. In short, they (the reports) represent a clear and present danger to the nation’s security.
“ We are, therefore, using this opportunity to appeal to the media to check the veracity of whatever information they receive from any source before publishing such. It is particularly necessary to double-check with the government before publishing any information from the theatre of operation in the Northeast.
“Let me reiterate that this administration is a firm believer in the freedom of the press, and will not do anything to jeopardise that freedom. On its part, the press must always commit to the highest standards of journalism.”
