The Nigerian Army on Monday dismissed as “misleading”, alleged
withdrawal of troops to aid abduction of female students of
Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe.
Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public
Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in a statement issued in
Maiduguri, said the allegation against the military “is not only
unfortunate, but also very far from the truth”.
Gov. Ibrahim Geidam had reportedly alleged that the withdrawal
of the troops from the area was responsible for the attack and
abduction of female students of the college.
The Federal Government had on Sunday confirmed the abduction of
110 girls from the school by armed men.
Nwachukwu disclosed that Dapchi town was handed over to the
police following the return of peace and civil authority in the
area.
“Contrary to the comments credited to Gov. Ibrahim Geidam,
troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce
Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian –
Nigerien border.
“This is on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and
peaceful, and the security of Dapchi was formally handed over to
the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.
“Therefore, troops’ redeployment was done in tandem with the
exigencies of operation as against the misconstrued notion.
“Several local councils and communities, hitherto, under siege
by the insurgents were liberated by troops who continue to trail
and decimate remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the
security of such liberated communities and towns fall in the hands
of the sister security agencies”.
Nwachukwu noted that the Theatre Command would not be joined in
the blame game, but rather remained committed to ensuring
successful implementation of the counter-insurgency operation in
the North-East.
He explained that the recent dislodgement and further decimation
of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa forest and the
Lake Chad region was a clear testimony of the effective operations
against the insurgents.
Nwachukwu stressed that troops had sustained long range patrols,
ambush and raids to canalise and root out fleeing insurgents.
“Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking
that such unfortunate comment and allegation is being touted
against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya
Dole”.
Nwachukwu reiterated the commitment of the military in carrying
out its mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists, restoration of
peace and rescue of the abducted school girls.
The army spokesman called on the people to cooperate with the
military and provide credible information on Boko Haram
insurgents.
“We assure parents, government, the good people of Yobe and
indeed, members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in
the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other
persons held captive by the terrorists’’ he said.
NAN
The Nigerian Army on Monday dismissed as “misleading”, alleged
withdrawal of troops to aid abduction of female students of
Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe.
Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public
Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in a statement issued in
Maiduguri, said the allegation against the military “is not only
unfortunate, but also very far from the truth”.
Gov. Ibrahim Geidam had reportedly alleged that the withdrawal
of the troops from the area was responsible for the attack and
abduction of female students of the college.
The Federal Government had on Sunday confirmed the abduction of
110 girls from the school by armed men.
Nwachukwu disclosed that Dapchi town was handed over to the
police following the return of peace and civil authority in the
area.
“Contrary to the comments credited to Gov. Ibrahim Geidam,
troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce
Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian –
Nigerien border.
“This is on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and
peaceful, and the security of Dapchi was formally handed over to
the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.
“Therefore, troops’ redeployment was done in tandem with the
exigencies of operation as against the misconstrued notion.
“Several local councils and communities, hitherto, under siege
by the insurgents were liberated by troops who continue to trail
and decimate remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the
security of such liberated communities and towns fall in the hands
of the sister security agencies”.
Nwachukwu noted that the Theatre Command would not be joined in
the blame game, but rather remained committed to ensuring
successful implementation of the counter-insurgency operation in
the North-East.
He explained that the recent dislodgement and further decimation
of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa forest and the
Lake Chad region was a clear testimony of the effective operations
against the insurgents.
Nwachukwu stressed that troops had sustained long range patrols,
ambush and raids to canalise and root out fleeing insurgents.
“Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking
that such unfortunate comment and allegation is being touted
against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya
Dole”.
Nwachukwu reiterated the commitment of the military in carrying
out its mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists, restoration of
peace and rescue of the abducted school girls.
The army spokesman called on the people to cooperate with the
military and provide credible information on Boko Haram
insurgents.
“We assure parents, government, the good people of Yobe and
indeed, members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in
the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other
persons held captive by the terrorists’’ he said.
NAN