By Olayemi Esan
- Nigerian Army Deploys Generals Lagbaja, Chibuisi as GOCs Enugu, Ibadan Divisions
The Nigerian Army (NA) has dismissed the Sahara Reporters publication titled “NIGERIAN ARMY SHUNS SOUTHERN OFFICERS, DEPLOY NORTHERN COMMANDERS TO QUELL TENSION IN SOUTHEAST” saying it was an uncoordinated and poorly written article that exposes the real intent albeit the very low IQ of the author and that speaks volumes on the motive of the publisher.
Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima on Monday issued a press statement that said the amateurish article presented in a self-styled fictitious movie-like scenario devoid of even the basic rudiments of a news report is simply unacceptable.
He said in a statement that ordinarily, the Nigeria Army would have ignored this illogical narrative by the online media but for the good of members of the public. The NA condemn this report targeted at steering discord and disunity among peace-loving Nigerians who have refused to be drawn into supporting the senseless attacks on security apparatus in the South East and South-South geopolitical zones of the country.
He added that the Nigerian Army being a national body does not promote or post its personnel along ethnic or religious lines. Postings in Nigeria Army are routine exercises and are based on professional competencies not as portrayed by the baseless publication.
Yerima noted, "let be clear in everyone's mind that the Nigerian Army (NA) does not train, deploy or operate along ethnic, religious, tribal, or regional divides. Senior officers are posted to command units based on their capability and competence taking into consideration their posting history".
"Furthermore, Officers are the most frequently posted personnel of the Nigerian Army. However, because of the bias and seed of discord that the author of the report wanted to sow, it did not allow him to do a thorough background check of his report.
"Part of the poorly scripted article states that Nigeria Army's deployment is based on ethical line. This is one of the dumbest opinions of the writer", he continued.
The spokesperson stressed that to put the record straight, while it is true that the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Enugu, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja is from South West, the Commander 34 Brigade Owerri Brigadier General Raymond Utsaha is from the North Central. Major General Gold Chibuisi is of the southeast extraction and is also the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan which is the largest in a number of states under command including 4 Brigade in Edo State.
Equally, Brigadier General Farouk Mijinyawa was never the Commander of 16 Brigade as misrepresented by the writer. It is therefore clear that the concocted story lacks everything in terms of credibility and exists only in the pigment of the author's imagination.
The Nigerian Army urge Nigerians to know that in the past months, several subversive elements have attempted to discredit the formidable security network in the South East and the Nigerian Army in line with her constitutional roles of aiding the civil authority deployed officers and men to checkmate the activities of these bad elements who are bent on wreaking havoc in the region.
In addition, Nigerian Army requested all peace-loving Nigerians to disregard the content of the said article in its entirety as it lacks common logic.
The Nigerian Army under the able leadership of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru remains committed to the defense of the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as protecting the lives and properties of all citizens and residents in Nigeria, he added.
The Nigerian Army further solicits for the continuous support of all patriotic Nigerians in stamping out activities of criminals including subversive and divisive elements for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
