By Mustapha Salisu
The Nigerian Army has reiterated that it remains neutral and apolitical in the discharge of its constitutional roles as the attention of the Army has been drawn to a deliberately calculated smear campaign in the Social Media and other fora against some of it senior commanders and officers.
The Army explained that, while these unconscionable acts are inexplicable, the motivation behind them are not far-fetched.
This was contained in a statement issued to PRIME TIME NEWS by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.
Onyema explained that in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, officers and men of the Nigerian Army adopted a firm and resolute stance in providing security support for the Elections in a manner that effectively curbed and prevented ill-intentioned groups from violently interfering with the process.
“However, some interest groups, that were effectively prevented from hatching their nefarious plots to influence the course of the elections through violence, are understandably piqued by this assertiveness of the Nigerian Army” he said.
The Army Headquarters wishes to assure the public that any misconduct against any of its personnel would be responsibly investigated and any subsequent substantiation would attract the appropriate disciplinary sanctions in accordance with established practices and extant laws.
Onyema stressed that, it should equally be appreciated that the character and reputation of a senior officer earned over 3 decades of meritorious service cannot be allowed to be destroyed by misguided elements through mere speculations.
“The resort to the sentiments of ethnic and religious colourations would not also diminish the Nigerian’s Army resolve to carry on its roles professionally” he stressed.
According to him, the Nigerian Army, urges all Nigerians to ignore the mischief being propagated by ill-intentioned individuals and groups, and continue to go about their civic responsibilities without any fear of molestation.
“We would continue to work with sister Services and other Security Agencies to meet all security-related expectations of citizens as enshrined in the laws of the Federation” he noted.
