The Nigerian Army Is A Disciplined Institution, We Don’t Take Bribes – Iliyasu

Posted by: Folamidavid in News, Politics Jan 8, 2020

The Army high command is not very happy after a Nigerian governor accused soldiers of extorting motorists.

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum recently blasted the soldiers at the Damaturu-Maiduguri road for asking motorists to pay N1,000 before they are allowed to pass.

His words, “I’m going to report all of you in this unit… nobody can tolerate this. Boko Haram is attacking people and you are here collecting N1000 per car,”

However, according to the Nigerian army, accusations of soldiers extorting motorists by Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum can ruin the good work the army has put in during their fight vs Boko Haram in the North.

Operations media coordinator, Aminu Iliyasu added that the army will look into the allegation even if Zulum’s words can prove counterproductive.

His words, “In the said publication, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum was alleged to have accused soldiers of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed along Maiduguri – Damaturu Road of extorting commuters and causing them unnecessary hardship,”

“The Nigerian Army as a professional and disciplined institution views such allegations seriously, particularly coming from a State Executive. It is on record that, whenever such allegations of troops’ misconduct were made in the past, the Nigerian Army never reneged in conducting thorough investigations to establish them and where any infractions were established against any personnel, appropriate sanctions were applied in line with extant rules and regulations as provided for in the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“Thus, the Nigerian Army wishes to assure the good people of Borno State and indeed the nation at large that any allegations of misconduct by Nigerian Army troops will be duly investigated and culprits will be dealt with accordingly.

“However, it is important to unequivocally observe that public outburst particularly by eminent personalities such as a State Executive could be counterproductive and indeed capable of reversing the gains recorded so far in the ongoing fight against insurgents and other criminal elements across the nation.”